Alberta farmer express by Farm Business Communications

NOT YOUR AVERAGE RODEO

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

Experience is a rarity at 33-year-old Calgary Police Rodeo » PG 38

Alberta ‘bioreactor’ turns manure into high-value fertilizer » PG 2 Publications Mail Agreement # 40069240

V o l u m e 1 2 , n u m b e r 1 8 A u g u s t 3 1 , 2 0 1 5

Stewardship program expecting a flood of new applicants About 8,000 producers have completed an Environmental Farm Plan — but that number is about to grow by 5,000 a year

Dry doesn’t describe it in Mackenzie County Almost no rain has fallen across a county that’s bigger than New Brunswick — and that’s devastating for the cattle industry

By Alexis Kienlen AF STAFF / SUNDRE

ason Bradley thought he was a pretty good steward of the land — but doing an Environmental Farm Plan helped him become a better one. “If it wasn’t for the Environmental Farm Plan, this would not have come to fruition,” said the manager of Red Deer River Ranches, indicating the fencedin riparian areas and the portable water troughs in the pastures. “I knew these things were important. But now I know how they can be measured, which helped in terms of determining new projects for riparian health and managing that.” For 17 of his 18 years managing the Sundre operation, Bradley let cattle water themselves in natural springs and creeks. Now those waterways feed a catchment pond, with pipes connecting water troughs for the ranch’s 200 bred heifers. It’s an obvious win for the environment.

see PROGRAM } page 7

Mackenzie County Reeve Bill Neufeld stands in a dried-out field. Every farmer in the region has been hurt by the drought but cattle producers have been especially affected. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

By Alexis Kienlen AF STAFF

rought hits everyone hard, but Mackenzie County’s 150 cattle producers have been squeezed harder and earlier than most — and the fallout may be felt for years. Cattleman Eric Jorgensen remembers looking at an agro-climatic map in midJune that showed the province’s largest county, which at 80,000 square kilometres is larger than New Brunswick, had essentially received zero precipitation since the snow melted. “That’s when we really started to feel it — even that week in June, there were cows being shipped south from our area,” said Jorgensen, who ranches near Fort Vermilion and is also a county councillor. A month later — when he and his fel-

BETTER BASIS:

low councillors would be one of the first councils to declare a state of agricultural disaster — the exodus of cattle was in full swing. “By that point, we’d already been seeing a steady stream of breeding cattle going south. Those cattle are so hard to replace,” said Jorgensen. Many of them clambered into Bill Fehr’s trailer. “Normally in the month of July, I would haul two or three loads of cattle to the auction,” said Fehr, an independent trucker based in La Crete. “This July, it was 14 loads. From the middle of June to the middle of July, there were over 200 cow-calf pairs and 40 or so replacement heifers.” Those are significant numbers because many producers have herds in the 50- to 80-cow range. Cattle are often a source of second income but with oilfield work in the doldrums, now is not

a time when producers can subsidize their farm. And when the entire county dries up, its remote location — it’s 550 kilometres from Fort Vermilion just to Grande Prairie — quickly becomes an issue. Some producers from Manitoba sent free hay to Fort Vermilion, but the shipping costs were still tough to bear. “Even shipping hay from Grande Prairie costs about $40 a bale, and Grande Prairie was selling hay for about $150 a bale. Farmers were shaking their heads,” said Jorgensen.

Grim math

Multiply that by eight bales needed to get a cow through winter and the numbers just don’t work. “Because of the high cost of feed, there’s no way people can afford it,”

see drought } page 6

Tight supplies have an upside } page 18

news » inside this week

inside » WHO NEEDS A SEEDER? Perennial grain crops aren’t just a pipe dream, says crop breeder

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

livestock

crops

ON THE HUNT FOR FEED

GETTING THE UPPER HAND

columNists brenda schoepp

Sylvain Charlebois The economics of Canadians’ love of meat

PRODUCER CAR OVERHAUL Grain commission has introduced a host of new rules this summer

Being open to change will attract young people to farming

Alternative feeds may be key to keeping the herd fed this winter

Daniel Bezte

Dry conditions allowed weeds to prosper, but there’ll be time this fall to beat them back

Just how exactly does El Niño change the weather here?

5 16

Cows that burp less could also save you money Reducing methane from cattle means a reduction in greenhouse gases — and the key to that is feed efficiency By Alexis Kienlen AF STAFF / LACOMBE

ows that burp less are also more feed efficient. That’s the initial results of a study conducted by Thomas Flesch, a meteorologist from the University of Alberta and John Basarab, a University of Alberta professor and beef research scientist at the Agriculture and AgriFood Canada’s Lacombe research station. The two scientists are using lasers to measure methane emissions produced by beef cattle. “Efficient animals eat less for the same amount of growth. They release less methane,” said Basarab. The scientists are in the first year of a three-year project. For each trial, they use two sets of cattle — one with high feed efficiency and one control group. The control group eats two per cent more forage for the same amount of weight gain as the efficient group.

The cattle’s methane emissions are measured by an open path sensor that records the amount of methane in the air. “The principle is kind of like those scenes in ‘Mission Impossible’ when you have a diamond in a museum. You’re worried about people getting to it, so you surround it with lasers. Our diamond is the cattle, and our lasers are measuring the methane that escapes from the cattle,” said Flesch. The lasers capture methane measurements from anywhere in the cattle paddock, no matter which way the wind is blowing, 24-7. “They can capture a fraction of the methane emitted,” said Flesch. “That’s where the meteorology comes in because it’s controlled by the wind and the turbulence.” The team takes measurements of the grazing animals for 10 days. The scientists initially started the data collection as part of another study done last year.

Thomas Flesch, a meteorologist from the University of Alberta, stands next to an open sensor used to collect methane emissions from cattle, at the Lacombe research station. PHOTO: Alexis Kienlen “A year ago, we found that feed-efficient animals ate five per cent less forage and emitted eight per cent less methane during the course of the trial,” said Flesch. Since preliminary data has shown feed efficiency has been shown to be tied to less methane,

people in the cattle industry will be able to say that they’re lowering their carbon footprint if they transition to more feed-efficient herds. That’s sure to win the approval of consumers, government and environmental groups, said Flesch.

The animals used in the trial come from the Lacombe and Kinsella research ranches. “These animals were selected for feed efficiency based on dry lot conditions, not the pasture environment where there is so much to measure,” said Flesch. It’s a popular misconception that most of the methane produced by a cow is produced at the back end. Instead, 95 per cent of the methane emitted from a cow comes from burps, while only five per cent from flatulence. “They really are methane machines and when you worry about greenhouse gases from agriculture and you want to reduce it, you really are drawn to look at the beef herd. That’s where the majority of our greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture comes from.” The eventual goal is to have a breeding program for a more efficient herd. akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

Alberta project turns manure into liquid gold Researcher says liquid composting of manure is a viable on-farm process whose time has come BY TONY KRYZANOWSKI AF CONTRIBUTOR

ick Savidov doesn’t mince words when he talks about relying solely on synthetic fertilizer to feed the planet. “The fact is that if we don’t learn how to recycle nutrients and water, we are doomed,” said the senior research scientist at the Bioindustrial Opportunities Branch of Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “We will start dying off from hunger. This is just one approach to prolong our existence on this planet.” Savidov is part of a team using a device called a bioreactor to extract nutrients from waste streams like animal manure. Described as ‘liquid composting,’ the bioreactor uses micro-organisms in an oxygen-rich environment to mineralize and dissolve the nutrients in a liquid solution. The nutrients can then be reused as plant food. Recycling nutrients is critical because synthetic fertilizer sources are non-renewable, said Savidov. For example, 85 per cent of all phosphorus rock reserves on the planet are located in just one region (Morocco and the Western Sahara) while nitrogen synthetic fertilizers can only be produced using fossil fuels. And recycled nutrients have an added benefit. A demonstration project by Savidov, engineer and system designer Marc Legault, and

Nick Savidov (left) and Marc Legault used a bioreactor to convert poultry manure to fertilizer in three weeks. PHOTO: SUPPLIED their colleagues used the aerobic bioreactor to capture nutrients from raw poultry manure. They then used the dissolved organic fertilizer — or digestate — to produce vegetables and tree seedlings in a soilless growing environment. “The results exceeded all our expectations,” said Savidov. “We demonstrated that we can produce vigorous growth of major nursery

crops grown in Alberta and B.C. using poultry manure digestate.” For example, greenhouse tomatoes grown with digestate had a 15 per cent higher yield than plants given synthetic fertilizer. The reason? Recycled organic fertilizers are biologically active with beneficial micro-organisms and this results in enhanced nutrient uptake by plants, said Savidov. All types of manure can be used in the system, but poultry manure was chosen because it’s readily available, rich in nitrogen, and less fibrous than cattle manure. The latter is important because the more fibre, the longer the fermentation process in the bioreactor. And speed is one of the selling points of this system. Conventional composting of manure typically takes months, but liquid composting requires just two to three weeks. The method results in 100 per cent conversion of the raw manure to liquid plant food. As well, an aerobic bioreactor is not expensive, space-age technology — it’s just a septic tank with a built-in agitator. Intense mixing of the three ingredients within the tank — manure, oxygen, and water — is critical to maintain consistent fermentation. And unlike septic tanks there’s no odour because oxygen reacts with foul-smelling compounds such as hydrogen sulphide. After about three weeks, the bioreactor is stopped and the processed liquid is removed

to a filtration tank, where any remaining solids are separated from the liquid and returned to the bioreactor for further fermentation, while the liquid stream is ready for use. The resulting liquid fertilizer has a low sodium content and a pH level within the tolerable range for plants. The fermentation process also generates heat, which can be captured and used to heat buildings on the farm. “To be honest, it’s not really an absolutely new system,” said Savidov. “It’s using bits and pieces of what is already used in the agriculture industry for manure treatment.” Similar systems are already in use in Europe, and the hope is that the Alberta project will help aerobic fermentation of animal manure catch on here, too, he said.

Correction A story in the Aug. 17 edition (CP Rail says it’s upping its game) stated CP Rail will invest $1.5 billion in its network — more than any other railway. The story said 21 per cent of the money was for regular maintenance and the rest for new infrastructure. The story should have said $1.5 billion represents about 21 per cent of CP Rail’s revenue.

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

The classic part? All of the friends you make at the dairy show Alberta hosted the Western Canadian Classic Junior Dairy Show and, as usual, a whole batch of special memories was made BY DIANNE FINSTAD AF contributor

“I say this to everybody who asks me — WCC is an amazing program. I couldn’t have asked for a better last 11 years. ”

etting experience in the dairy showing world at a young age can open all sorts of doors. The 31st edition of the Western Canadian Classic (WCC) Junior Dairy Show brought 100 participants between the ages of 12 and 21 to Westerner Park in Red Deer for five days of activities. Naturally, the event included showing calves, but also things like a dairy science quiz and a judging contest, not to mention a host of fun ‘get to know each other’ activities. Jaclyn Hunter of Ferintosh came to this year’s event (held on Aug. 18-23) with mixed emotions. The 21-year-old was excited to be participating in her home province and seeing old friends again, but it was also her final year. “It’s bittersweet knowing that this is my last year — growing up with all these kids and meeting the new ones,” she said before adding with a beaming smile, “Like this year we have eight new members, which is incredible for the team!” The great thing about the program for Hunter was being involved even though her own family sold its dairy herd in 2007. “I’m very fortunate. I’ve been borrowing heifers (to show). I’ve borrowed from Crestomere Holsteins, Mosnang Holsteins, and Wendon Holsteins — those are three of the farms I’ve also worked for lots at shows and sales, too. They’re an awesome group of people and really helpful.” Hunter has seen her share of success at the youth event over the years, including winning the Grand Champion Showmanship prize in 2014. That led to her selection for Team Canada, and an international adventure in the dairy industry. As part of Holstein Canada’s Young Leaders initiative, a six-member team travelled to Battice, Belgium last September to take part in the European Young Breeders School. “It was extremely neat to go over there. Team Canada is looked up to,” she said. “When we got there, we all were given a calf, donated from farms for the kids to use, which I thought was amazing. It was our duty to break them to lead, wash them all week, clip them up, feed, water and bed them, and take care of them. We went through some judging sem-

Jaclyn Hunter

Jaclyn Hunter won the intermediate calf class with a heifer borrowed from Wendon Holsteins of Innisfail. PHOTOs: DIANNE FINSTAD

inars, a clipping demonstration, and had some farm tours. “I think the thing about it I enjoyed the most was how well the six of us (on Team Canada) got along. It was so amazing to go somewhere with people I’d never met before — I met them at an airport — and we’re all great friends now and keep in touch.” In Belgium, Hunter was billeted with a host family, and immersed in the French language. “That was a learning curve, since I know no French. I learned a little bit to get me by,” she said. “They were so nice, and drove us to and from the barns every day. It was just such an amazing atmosphere, and an amazing time.” While Team Canada did participate in the competitions, earning individual points, its role was partly to teach and share with the European young people about the Canadian youth dairy showing initiatives. “I say this to everybody who asks me — WCC is an amazing program. I couldn’t have asked for a better last 11 years. Competitionwise, I think WCC is head and foot above anything there. But experience-wise, and just learning new

things and meeting new people, Belgium was the best time. Definitely a highlight of my years.” Hunter will be completing her directed field studies for her bachelor of applied science in agribusiness at Olds College this fall, after harvesting with her family. She’s

not sure what kind of job her training will lead to, but she’ll always have cows close to her heart. “I love the dairy industry. I’m so passionate about it.” Showing the Grand Champion heifer this year was Katelyn Crest of Athabasca, with her junior Hol-

stein yearling Skycrest Peanut. It’s the fourth time she’s had the top animal. “I won with her mother one year, so that’s kind of cool,” said the 20-year-old, who was also the reserve winner in showmanship. Crest has been part of the WCC program for 10 years, and is also an enthusiastic supporter. “Everyone gets along. It’s a competition, but we’re still hanging out with other teams and having a good time. It’s good competition, too.” Alberta won the team award this year, but Crest says part of the responsibility of the senior members is to help the younger ones. “We’ve got five or six leaving (our team) in the next two years, so it’s grooming time for these little guys to step up and learn the tricks of the trade.” Next year’s Western Canadian Classic Junior Dairy Show will be in Brandon, Man.

Three great new canola hybrids have cropped up. Meet three new varieties from CANTERRA SEEDS, featuring a trailblazing clubroot resistant variety, a multigenic blackleg resistant variety, and a Clearfield Production System variety.

Get to know CS2100, CS2000 and CS2200 CL at CANTERRA.COM.

Jock

Ace Outlaw

*Available only at select retailers.

Alberta won the team award at this year’s Western Canadian Classic Junior Dairy Show.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Genuity and Design® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC, Monsanto Canada, Inc. licensee. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. Helix® and Vibrance® are registered trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. © 2014 Syngenta.

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

EDITOR Glenn Cheater Phone: 780-919-2320 Email: glenn.cheater@fbcpublishing.com twitter: @glenncheater

Reporters

Making room for youth — and youthful thinking — in farming

Alexis Kienlen, Edmonton 780-668-3121 Email: akienlen@fbcpublishing.com Jennifer Blair, Red Deer 403-613-7573 Email: jennifer.blair@fbcpublishing.com

CIRCULATION manager Heather Anderson Email: heather@fbcpublishing.com

Young farmers love technology and are excited by change, but they’re often penned in by the walls of tradition

PRODUCTION director Shawna Gibson Email: shawna@fbcpublishing.com

Director of Sales

By BRENDA SCHOEPP

Cory Bourdeaud’hui Email: cory@fbcpublishing.com

national ADVERTISING SALES Jack Meli Phone: 647-823-2300 Email: jack.meli@fbcpublishing.com

Local ADVERTISING sales Crystal McPeak Phone: 403-646-6211 or 403-360-3210 Email: crystal@fbcpublishing.com

classified ADVERTISING SALES Sharon Komoski Phone: 1-888-413-3325 Fax: 204-944-5562 Email: sharon.komoski@fbcpublishing.com

ADVERTISING Co-ordinator Arlene Bomback Phone: 204-944-5765 Fax: 204-944-5562 Email: ads@fbcpublishing.com

PUBLISHER Lynda Tityk Email: lynda.tityk@fbcpublishing.com

Associate PUBLISHER/ editorial director John Morriss Email: john.morriss@fbcpublishing.com

president Bob Willcox Glacier FarmMedia bwillcox@farmmedia.com 204-944-5751

The Alberta Farmer Express is published 26 times a year by Farm Business Communications. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Publications mail agreement number 40069240 Canadian Postmaster: Send address changes and undeliverable addresses (covers only) to Circulation Dept., P.O. Box 9800, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3K7

ISSN 1481-3157 Call

1-800-665-0502

or U.S. subscribers call

AF columnist

armers often lament the lack of youth in agriculture. I would argue that this is not true — there are a lot more baby strollers than walkers at major agricultural conferences, especially ones where technology is highlighted. There may be fewer young farmers, but the young men and women farming today have a broader reach in their knowledge and marketing. The farming career of the future is not limited to gumboots and giddy-up — it is highspeed transactions and defined data-based decision-making. It is knowledge transfer and borderless information transfer. And this is what is appealing to our next generation of food system leaders. I was recently asked what I thought the farm of the future would look like. I go back to the things that have driven great change. The cellphone is the most recent disruptive technology and although it may differ in its shape or scope, the idea of having the world at your fingertips has been transformational. It is the cellphone that has allowed farmers in the most remote corners of the Earth to access production and weather information, talk to other farmers, find inputs (including water), and market their harvest and livestock. What other changes are emerging and how do our young Canadian farmers fit in? And when armed with knowledge and technology, how do they successfully bring that back to the farm? My travels have taught me there is room for every farmer, and that the first order of business is to break out of the paradigms in which we reside. What will be your point of differentiation? How has risk been mitigated in your business model? My guests were speaking of their laying hens. She wanted to optimize an unused barn at 80 hens and he wanted to maximize the numbers to 2,000. After a lot of research

and number crunching, it became apparent that the optimization model was more profitable than maximizing. It reminded me of the hundreds of farmers I have met around the globe and my discovery that in a room of the biggest farms from a dozen countries that it was the three-acre asparagus farmer from an island who was making the most money. Farms and families differ, but there are unconventional business models that make sense. I think of the Dutch pig farms that I visited. The pigs were bought after the retail contracts were signed. Then the farmer thought,“Well, I may as well own part of that shelf, a share in the butcher, the trucks that deliver the pigs, the barn, and some of the mill that the feed comes from. Then I will charge folks to come eat pork and have picnics at my pig farm.” It was a great value chain but the real profit centre was the data. The farm family developed the data systems for real time and the veterinarian paid the farmer to access his barn visually and on the real-time performance, health and environment data before determining if a call was needed. Rethinking the way we do business is the most important thinking we do. And therein lays the opportunity and the conflict. As young farmers stretch their wings, they often hit the walls of tradition. There is a great value in tradition because it keeps us grounded. Yet of greater importance to this discussion is that the parents of the college graduate are often still very young, healthy and in deeper debt than grandma and grandpa were. They are having fun with technology as well and are starting to enjoy all they worked for. Unless there is a plan in place that has been in serious discussion with all the interested parties or a wonderful mentoring program, there is a risk of conflict. Farming is about money and at every juncture there must be an economic analysis as well as an environmental assessment. Calculating the cost versus benefit is pretty easy

and there is certainly an app for that. Doing an assessment of how the change affects the farm, the plants, animals and people who live there is enlightening. Just as in the 80 hens versus 2,000 hens story, the true cost to the farm was environmental. Taking a holistic view is very beneficial because it provides a discussion for the pros and cons. There is not an app for that. It is our soft skills as farmers that must be employed here — a mix of traditional rationalization and modern-day technology. Technology can not only be the attractive force behind farming, it can also be the bridge between farmers and farm families. For example, prescriptive farming may have a cost but it allows a third party to suggest production changes. Your career in agriculture could be drone mapping or it could be the agrology behind the information collected by that drone. It could be the marketing of that product to a new country or the development of a recipe or value-added product. Or it could be a greater understanding of diversity and setting aside wetlands, employing marginal grazing areas, or creating food forests from the same land base. Although this discussion is general, farming is an exact science. Science and technology bring new farmers to the fold and enhance the profitability on old farms. The gap between youth and the farm may be one post away as young men and women desire to be engaged in challenging careers that are a reflection of their core values and beliefs. The conflict on the farm may also be bridged with constructive data mixed with a healthy dose of common sense. Through it all, remember in kindness that there is room for every farmer and food. Open minds and data-based decisions will empower young men and women to be the farmer they were born to be. Brenda Schoepp is a farmer from Alberta who works as an international mentor and motivational speaker. She can be contacted through her website www.brendaschoepp.com. All rights reserved. Brenda Schoepp 2015

1-204-944-5568 For more information on The Alberta Farmer Express and subscriptions to other Farm Business Communications products, or visit our web site at:

www.albertafarmexpress.ca or email: subscription@fbcpublishing.com At Farm Business Communications we have a firm commitment to protecting your privacy and security as our customer. Farm Business Communications will only collect personal information if it is required for the proper functioning of our business. As part of our commitment to enhance customer service, we may share this personal information with other strategic business partners. For more information regarding our Customer Information Privacy Policy, write to: Information Protection Officer, Farm Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Ave., Wpg., MB R3H 0H1 Occasionally we make our list of subscribers available to other reputable firms whose products and services might be of interest to you. If you would prefer not to receive such offers, please contact us at the address in the preceding paragraph, or call 1-800-665-0502. The editors and journalists who write, contribute and provide opinions to Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communications attempt to provide accurate and useful opinions, information and analysis. However, the editors, journalists and Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communications, cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this publication and the editors as well as Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communications assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader for this publication based on any and all information provided.

Agriculture should be plank of party platforms: CFA CFA will hold a televised debate of party agriculture representatives on Sept. 30 CFA release

he Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is calling on political candidates across Canada to show their support in the upcoming federal election for Canada’s farmers and the food system Canadians rely on each day. Canada’s farmers and farm organizations will be reaching out to candidates across the country — in-person meetings, mailouts, and local events. The CFA will also be hosting a televised all-party National Agriculture Debate in the weeks leading up to the election. “We urge all parties to show Canadians the importance they place on investing in Canada’s food and farm future by reflecting Canadian farmers’ priorities in their platforms. We encourage candidates to meet with farmers and hear about the realities in the food and agriculture industry first hand,” said Ron Bonnett, CFA president.

“While the farmer constituency is relatively small, the economic activity they generate is significant — approximately $106.9 billion annually — and not to mention, they are largely responsible for putting food on Canadians’ plates each day. Our issues are not just farmer issues. What affects our industry, affects all of Canada,” Bonnett added. CFA has three main policy areas it would like to see addressed by the political parties:

Maintaining a workforce

Like any industry, agriculture requires an adequate workforce to keep operations running. Farmers continue to identify chronic and critical labour shortages as one of the most pressing risks facing Canadian agriculture and a major constraint on both agricultural growth and global competitiveness. Agriculture is a complex industry that faces unique workforce chal-

lenges due to rural depopulation and seasonal production of highly perishable products. In response to these challenges, the Canadian agriculture and agri-food industries have come together as a complete value chain to develop a permanent solution to this pervasive and urgent challenge: the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Workforce Action Plan.

Managing risks

Agriculture is unique in the set of high risks it faces: volatile prices, unpredictable weather, and a global market influenced by government supports to producers in competing countries. For risks that cannot be addressed through on-farm management practices, Canadian producers require access to effective risk management programs to limit fluctuations in income that limit their ability to further invest in their farms and grow the Canadian brand at home and abroad.

Trade negotiations

Clear and effective rules governing international trade will result in better-functioning international and domestic markets — a win-win situation for our economy, producers and communities across Canada, and an ever-increasing global population. The Canadian government must approach all trade negotiations, including the current TransPacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, with the objective of achieving positive results for Canada’s farm and food future. Specifically, the CFA has outlined considerations under three main areas it urges decision makers to take into account when securing trade deal market access: market access, supply management and non-tariff barriers. To hear what Canada’s political decision makers have to say about these issues and more, tune in to the Agriculture Leaders Debate on Sept. 30, held at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa and webcast nationwide. Stay tuned for further details at www. cfa-fca.ca.

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

Canadians love meat, but don’t take them for granted Demand should stay strong despite higher prices, but cases of meat fraud could undermine consumer confidence By Sylvain Charlebois

hat do Confucius, Albert Einstein and Leonardo Di Vinci have in common? Well, not much professionally, but they were all vegetarians. Einstein once claimed that, “Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” With recent record meat prices, some might wonder if, all ethics aside, he had a point. On the supply side, consumers now have greater access to vegetarian and vegan options than ever before. Recently, the world’s first vegetarian drive-thru opened last month in California, and some airlines now offer seven different varieties of vegetarian options for longer flights, including raw and lacto-ovo meals. Similar changes have been made in the hospitality and tourism industries. Despite these advances, however, it remains unclear if more consumers have opted to go completely meat free, or have adopted a more vegetarian “inclined” diet. What is also currently unknown is whether increasing meat prices have pushed consumers away from animal protein products.

Indeed, most reports suggest that the number of vegetarian consumers in the western world has not significantly increased over time. In most surveys recently published, vegetarians only comprise four to five per cent of the population. That number increases slightly if consumers who are inclined to occasionally go meatless are added to the mix. Consumers who do become vegetarians or vegans do so for an array of reasons. However, the economics of vegetarianism have attracted little attention in recent years; but in the light of recent protein price hikes, they should. Economists, however, do agree on a few facets of meat production. First, many studies suggest that it costs significantly more to produce energy and protein from animal-based sources than from some plantbased sources. While some might dispute this claim, there is little or no doubt among most economists of this cost, which is the prime factor driving research in bio-meat engineering. Second, a significant shift in dietary preferences towards plant-based consumption would result in lower commodity prices, including corn. As a result, the economic implications of a rapid adoption of a plant-based diet for our agricultural economy would be significant. How-

ever, the reality is that according to many studies of consumer behaviour, customers still place a higher value on buying and eating meat than on any other food group. Canada’s relationship with animal proteins has deep cultural roots, particularly during holidays and summertime. Additionally, meat prices are unlikely to decrease any time soon, since many emerging markets are consuming more meat products. With a weaker Canadian currency and a shift change in U.S.-based protectionist measures, Americans will likely increase their purchases of Canadian meat, forcing retailers to pay more to keep domestically produced products within our borders. It gets even trickier on the retail side of things, as grocers know that playing around with meat prices can be perilous, at best. The rise of beef and pork prices may one day discourage consumers from purchasing their favourite chops or steaks, but likely not for the foreseeable future. However, the most significant threat to the meat industry is not higher prices, but food fraud. Major incidences like the European horsemeat case, sausage mislabelling investigations, and many other occurrences have been troubling to consumers, to say the least. Given our general commitment to protein,

the economic case for meat consumption remains strong for consumers, as long as they know what they are buying and eating. As more fraudulent cases are reported, consumers may start to think twice before spending 25 to 30 per cent more on meat. Consumer confidence is strong, but may quickly erode. The meat industry ignores this possibility at its peril. Eating meat is a consumer choice Canadians have made for generations. Our culinary traditions have given animal protein its rightful place, and have served our communities well. However, as meat prices increase, many Canadians might wonder if they can still afford to treat themselves to a delicious steak or roast beef. So far, Canadians seem to remain committed. However, if they realize that their favourite steak actually came from a troubling source, or improperly processed, the industry shouldn’t expect consumers to continue making the traditional choice. They may end up finding the growing alternatives to be more appetizing, and more affordable. Sylvain Charlebois is a professor of food distribution and policy and associate dean of College of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph

A judge’s view of ‘ag gag’ laws in the United States U.S. judge has ruled that food production is not a private matter and laws protecting farm operators from undercover scrutiny are against the public interest

he following contains excerpts from a recent Federal Court ruling in Idaho striking down felony law 18-7042 in that state. The statute, commonly known as the “ag gag” law, imposes fines and up to a year’s jail time if undercover journalists or animal rights sympathizers publicize animal welfare abuses on farms. Proponents of the bill likened the aforementioned to “terrorists” as the legislation was pushed into law. The law was crafted and passed in 2014 after an undercover exposé of workers on a dairy farm dragging a cow using a chain around her neck and repeatedly abusing other cows. The video at the root of this legislation can be seen at www. burgerkingcruelty.com. Six other U.S. states have passed similar laws, but Judge Lynn Winmill found the ag gag law violates the constitutional right to free speech. He also found that singling out animal industry for protection from public scrutiny is not in the public interest. Law 18-7042 seeks to limit and punish those who speak out on topics relating to the agricultural

industry, striking at the heart of important First Amendment values. The effect of the statute will be to suppress speech by undercover investigators and whistleblowers concerning topics of great public importance: the safety of the public food supply, the safety of agricultural workers, the treatment and health of farm animals, and the impact of business activities on the environment. Indeed, private party media investigations, such as investigative features on “60 Minutes,” are a common form of politically salient speech. A review of Idaho media reports in recent years reveals a range of undercover investigations from life on the streets, to wolf-hunting contests, to family-planning services, to public-school safety. Such investigations into private matters, both by government and private actors, are recognized and embraced as important political speech in Idaho. The story of Upton Sinclair provides a clear illustration of how the First Amendment is implicated by the statute.

Sinclair, in order to gather material for his novel, The Jungle, misrepresented his identity so he could get a job at a meat-packing plant in Chicago. Sinclair’s novel, a devastating exposé of the meat-packing industry that revealed the intolerable labour conditions and unsanitary working conditions in the Chicago stockyards in the early 20th century, “sparked an uproar” and led to the passage of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, as well as the Pure Food and Drug Act. Today, however, Upton Sinclair’s conduct would expose him to criminal prosecution under 18-7042. The state responds that 18-7042 is not designed to suppress speech critical of certain agricultural operations, but instead is intended to protect private property and the privacy o f agricultural facility owners. But, as the story of Upton Sinclair illustrates, an agricultural facility’s operations that affect food and worker safety are not exclusively a private matter. Food and worker safety are matters of public concern. Moreover, laws against trespass, fraud, theft, and

defamation already exist. These types of laws serve the property and privacy interests the state professes to protect through the passage of 18-7042, but without infringing on free speech rights. … The state argues that agricultural production facilities deserve more protection because agriculture plays such a central role in Idaho’s economy and culture and because animal production facilities are more often targets of undercover investigations. The state’s logic is perverse — in essence the state says that (1) powerful industries deserve more government protection than smaller industries, and (2) the more attention and criticism an industry draws, the more the government should protect that industry from negative publicity or other harms. Protecting the private interests of a powerful industry, which produces the public’s food supply, against public scrutiny is not a legitimate government interest. … the central problem with 18-7042 is that it distinguishes between different types of speech, or conduct facilitating speech, based on content. As

already discussed in the context of the First Amendment claim, an employee can make an unauthorized recording of an agricultural facility owner’s children visiting the facility without running afoul of 18-7042, but the same employee could not make an unauthorized recording of workers abusing animals. Likewise, an undercover journalist who misrepresents his identity to secure a job at an agricultural production facility so he can publish a laudatory piece about the facility would not violate the statute. But an undercover journalist who misrepresents his identity to secure a job at the same facility seeking to expose illegal, inhumane, or unsafe behaviour would violate the statute. The operative distinction is the message the employee or undercover journalist wishes to convey. … the state completely ignores that food production is not a private matter. As already discussed, animal agriculture is a heavily regulated industry and food production and safety are matters of the utmost public concern.

Off the front

drought } from page 1 said Bill Neufeld, who has been reeve for 30 years. “One farmer could sell his herd for $90,000 or buy $90,000 worth of feed. Which option could anybody take?” The hope is that the rains will return and producers will buy cattle next year. But even if they do, it will take years to rebuild herds, said Neufeld. Jorgensen hasn’t reduced his 100-cow herd so far. He uses Crown grazing leases, which have been beneficial because the bush hasn’t been hit as hard as the grass. He’s also discussed these issues with many fellow producers. He rarely gets calls from constituents, but he’s had more than 20 calls from worried cattle producers this summer. “In the middle of June, people were seeing that they couldn’t feed their cows and they were shipping and they were worried about taxes and preserving their efforts of the last 20 years,” he said. “The anxiety level was awfully high there.” Fehr had a lot of those conversations, too. “I talked to one fellow who has 200 cows — he said the way it was looking now, he would have feed for about 50 for the winter,” Fehr said in a mid-August interview. “We have guys here who would normally background their own calves and feed them up to 900 pounds.” Since June, there have been pockets of scattered showers, but only about an inch of rainfall. So producers are adapting as best they can, said Jorgensen. “People are scrambling and trying to put together the winter feed with what they have left,” he said. “The anxiety level does

august 31, 2015 • Albertafarmexpress.ca

drop when you make a decision, or make a plan. And I think the people have been with this long enough now that most of them are starting to make plans. “I don’t see the deer-in-headlights look that we were seeing in June and July. They’ve got some plans and options now.” But often the best plan is to sell. Jorgensen pointed to a local community pasture that is normally home to about 800 cattle until October. Not this year. “Those calves are coming out of the pasture next week and being sold right away because they don’t have the feed,” he said. “There will be a fair number of cattle leaving the county.”

“One farmer could sell his herd for $90,000 or buy $90,000 worth of feed. Which option could anybody take?” Bill Neufeld

Finding solutions

How many, all comes down to finding as much feed as possible. Cattle producers are working out deals with their grain-farming neighbours to get access to fields that aren’t worth combining. County officials are working with Alberta Environment and Parks on issuing hay permits on Crown land, which allows producers the ability to remove slough grass for their cattle. Roadsides are being

baled. Producers have also been able to access head tax permits, which allow them to pasture cattle on Crown land and grazing leases have been opened, (although producers must own the cattle to qualify for the latter). But a more comprehensive plan is needed, said Jorgensen. Although he’s not in favour of government bailouts, something needs to be done if Mother Nature doesn’t co-operate and the dry conditions persist. One of his neighbours shipped cattle to his father-in-law’s place in Vermilion, rather than sending them to market. “Maybe that is something that could happen across the province,” he said. “We’ll see a lot more custom feeding done. It is so much cheaper to ship a liner load of cows than it is to ship eight liner loads of hay.” In the meanwhile, farmers are working together to come up with creative ways to address the lack of feed. Jorgensen’s neighbour usually spreads his pea straw on his fields, but “he came over and asked if I wanted to follow his combine and see what I could do.” “That’s the kind of thing that has to happen (and) that the government can’t put in place,” he said. “People have to come together to meetings and share ideas.” And while Mackenzie County cattle producers have it bad, “I don’t want to cry wolf,” Jorgensen added. “I know that there are other areas that are facing the same thing — complete herd dispersals and lack of feed. They’re not through it either.” akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

Gathering pea straw has been one of the ways Eric Jorgensen is finding feed for his herd, but for many producers in Mackenzie County, the option is to sell. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

*For commercial use only. Offer subject to credit qualification and approval by CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. See your New Holland dealer for details and eligibility requirements. CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. standard terms and conditions will apply. Depending on model, a down payment may be required. Offer good through August 31, 2015, at participating New Holland dealers in Canada. Offer subject to change. Taxes, freight, set-up, delivery, additional options or attachments not included in price. © 2015 CNH Industrial Capital America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland Agriculture is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. CNH Industrial Capital and New Holland Construction are trademarks in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates.

USED EQUIPMENT USED COMBINES/HEADERS

M&S suspended boom sprayer, 1000 gal, 86’ booms auto rate $15,500

2 - 2012 CR8090 Combines, c/w Stone trap and GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Choice @ $295,000

1 - MacDon 18’ multi crop header, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,500

2011 NH CX8080, 900 hrs, GPS, deluxe chopper . . . . . . . . . . $199,900 2012 94C, 30’ head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$58,000 SP30N Honeybee Header, fits CNH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$45,000 NH 74C, 36’ auger flex headers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$37,500 2 - 2012 CA25 MacDon adaptors, to fit CNH combines . . . . . . . . SOLD

USED TRACTORS 2011 NH TV6070 Biderectional, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $89,000 Cockshutt 1850, cab FEL 90 hp, no GST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,750

USED SWATHERS/SPRAYERS 2011 NH SP365F, 1600 gal, 120’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $295,000 MacDon 9352i, C/W 30’ header Very low hours . . . . . . . . . . . . .$89,000 MacDon 4952i, C/W 30’ header . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$62,500

MacDon 14’ hay header . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Call NH SF215, suspended boom sprayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$28,500

USED FORAGE & HAYING NH 1431, discbine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coming In NH BR780, baler twine and net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coming In

LIVESTOCK EQ 2002 Supreme 900T,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$42,500 Haybuster 2650, bale buster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17,900

SKID STEER 2006 NH C185, compact track loader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$32,500 2009 NH L170, 4300 hrs, new tires open cab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$26,500 NH L190, 5000 hrs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$22,500

MacDon 2940, C/W 30’ header. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$48,000

TILLAGE

2006 Spray Air 3600, deluxe 100ft booms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$28,900

50’ Bourgault 8800, HD cultivator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$29,500

BARGAIN LIST ALL UNITS ARE NEW WITH FULL WARRANTY AND ALL ARE AT OLD PRICING WHEN THE DOLLAR WAS BETTER

CALL FOR PRICING NEW 2014 NH T8.390 CVT Loaded 2014 Demo Special NH SP333F, w/1600 Gal, 120’ Loaded Power Star t4.75 62 hp tractor mfd ldr wet clutch NEW New Holland PTO for T9, Large frame

“Southern Alberta’s New Holland Dealer since 1967” 510 – 36th. Street, North, Lethbridge, AB

Farm Centre Inc.

PHONE: (403) 327-1100 ALBERTA TOLL FREE: 1-800-565-0592 EMAIL: vfc@telusplanet.net

JOHN BEYER JAKE PETERS Cell: 403-380-0488

Cell: 403-654-3243

www.vaneefarmcentre.com

Albertafarmexpress.ca • august 31, 2015

PROGRAM } from page 1 “Riparian exclusion allows the native plants to re-establish, protects the stream banks (from erosion), removes sediment loading, and keeps the manure and urine out of the creek,” Bradley said during a ranch tour organized by Clearwater County Agricultural Services and Landcare. But it’s also good for the bottom line. The portable water system allowed Bradley to move from continuous grazing to intensive rotational grazing in paddocks, which has greatly increased the carrying capacity of the pastures. And the nutrients in the manure and urine that went into Brown Creek are now deposited on the land, further increasing its productivity. Just a year later, Bradley has seen impressive gains. “I have the numbers to show that we’re at 30 to 40 per cent better grass on an extremely dry year,” he said. That’s the kind of story that Paul Watson wants producers to hear — in hopes it will persuade them to obtain an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). The Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta took over the EFP program in 2013 and hired Watson as its director in January. Although 8,000 Alberta farmers have completed the voluntary farm assessment program since it was launched in 2003, that’s nowhere near enough, said Watson.

EFPs will be built into the McDonald’s pilot program and the Dairy Farmers of Canada’s proAction plan. So Watson is preparing to gear up. He estimates his organization will have to help 5,000 farmers a year complete their plans — a huge increase from the few hundred annually over the past few years. And work is already underway on revising the EFP workbook to ensure farms going through the process are meeting the expectations of buyers of agricultural products. “One way or another, we’re going to fit into the sustainable sourcing model,” said Watson. “We’re hoping we have a few years to decide what to do, rather than have someone else make the decision for us.” Bradley and daughter Cherilyn identified several areas for improvements on Red Deer River Ranches while going through the workbook’s 23 sections, which cover things such as manure management, pesticide management, watering strategies, and pasture management. They were also able to consult with technicians when dealing with specific issues. Once he completed the pro-

gram, Bradley was able to apply for funding for the on-farm water management and offsite watering programs through Growing Forward 2 — money that helped pay for the cost of installing these new systems. But the program alone is worth doing, said Watson. “A lot of people who have done the EFP say they understand their farm a lot better than they once did,” he said. And it’s not a do-it-and-forgetit exercise. “I know several personally who say they use it as a planning tool every time they do something new or different or expand their operation,” said Watson. “They pull out their Environmental Farm Plan, review it, and use it as a planning tool for how and where they want to do things and what they need to do to mitigate those risks.” akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

INFO aefp

For more information, see www.albertaefp.com Jason Bradley stands near pipes that are part of the new watering system installed after he completed an Environmental Farm Plan. Photo: Alexis Kienlen

“A lot of people who have done the EFP say they understand their farm a lot better than they once did.” Paul Watson

That’s because farmers and ranchers can no longer just say they’re good stewards — they need to back that claim with documentation because of the push for sustainable agriculture from consumers. “The people who are buying agricultural products want to make sure the product was produced in an economic, socially, and environmentally sustainable way,” said Watson. “If you talk to the crops groups like Alberta Barley, Alberta Wheat, the Alberta Canola Commission, and the Alberta Pulse Growers, they’ll tell you that they see sustainable sourcing as an inevitable part of Canadian agriculture in the future.” While McDonald’s verified beef production is one of the newer sustainable ag initiatives, others already require producers to have an EFP. “If you want to sell potatoes to McCain’s, you need to have an Environmental Farm Plan,” said Watson.

Supporting your success in every seed Only the DEKALB® brand connects you to our team of experts who can help you unlock your seed’s full potential. From breeding and testing to agronomic advice for your region, you can have confidence in DEKALB seeds.

Learn more at DEKALB.ca/canola ALWAYS FOLLOW IRM, GRAIN MARKETING AND ALL OTHER STEWARDSHIP AND PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Details of these requirements can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers printed in this publication ©2015 Monsanto Canada, Inc.

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Venture into sunflowers proves profitable The Botts were told that sunflowers weren’t suitable for their farm, but that didn’t stop them By Alexis Kienlen

AF STAFF / CLEARWATER COUNTY

They only grow 10 acres, but producing sunflowers for the local birdseed market is one way the Bott family has diversified their operation. PHOTOs: Alexis Kienlen

hen someone told Roger Bott, he couldn’t grow sunflowers in his part of Alberta, he was determined to try. Eight years on, Bott and wife Bonita — and a lot of residents of Clearwater County — are glad they did. “People are also really enjoying looking at the sunflowers

BayerCropScience.ca/InVigor or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. InVigor® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.

FS:8.35” F:8.7”

when they’re on the highway,” said Bott. They’re not the only ones. The couple grows early varieties of black-shelled sunflowers for birdseed, and bird lovers are happy to have a local supplier. “It’s a little cheaper to buy than in stores, and people love coming out to the farm and picking up their birdseed,” said Bott. “When you stick your head in a bin of this fresh sunflower seed, it just smells so spicy. The fresh stuff coming off

the fields is really nice smelling and the birds love it.” It’s a niche crop — the Botts grow about 10 acres each year, with each acre yielding about 2,000 pounds of sunflowers — but one that, at first glance, seemed a poor choice. Clearwater County only gets about 95 frost-free days, so later-maturing varieties don’t work. And there’s no weed control options for early-season varieties of sunflower, so the crop must move to a new field each year. T:17.4”

Albertafarmexpress.ca • august 31, 2015

Peas, cereals, and canola have been the mainstays on Providence Acres, but the couple wanted to diversify. They’ve experimented with soybeans, corn and giant pumpkins, but sunflowers are looking like a good bet to become a permanent part of their rotation. “We’re starting to get the confidence to put the sunflowers in the rotation, and our confidence has been gaining every year,” said Bott. “We keep planting them and taking a few acres out of the rotation to do that. We keep having success.” The crop is planted around May 10, using a Flexicoil 5000 air drill with nine-inch spacing, and a heavy seeding rate. Rather than use their own seed, the couple buys from a seed grower in Ponoka. “We know that in this country we’re always dealing with short growing seasons, so if we up our seeding rates, we can cut back on our maturity,” Bott said during a

“Our confidence has been gaining every year.” Roger Bott

farm tour organized by Clearwater County Agricultural Services and Landcare. A high plant density forces the sunflowers to compete against each other for resources, so they set seed faster and mature earlier. They don’t require any fertilizer or additional inputs and have no disease issues. Plants are straight cut in late October or early November, when they are at about 10 per cent moisture and have been hit with a frost.

“When the plants are ready, you just tap them and the seeds fall out when they’re ready to harvest,” he said. The sunflowers don’t need to be dried for storage. The stalks get chopped with a combine, and then the field is disked and the stalks disintegrate. The organic matter is left on the field, which may provide a nutritional benefit for the crops grown there the following year. It’s not the only way the couple is diversifying their operation, they also sell flowers for weddings and during the Leslieville Antique Days as well as flower shops in Rocky Mountain House. This year’s sunflower crop was the best yet, but Bott said he’s not going to expand acreage too quickly. “That step you make from 10 acres to 50 — that’s a big step.” akienlen@fbcpublishing.com

Roger, son Caleb, and Bonita Bott pose in front of their field of sunflowers in Clearwater County.

Statistics Canada puts wheat and canola below industry expectations The average all-wheat yield is forecast to be just 38 bushels per acre, with canola at 30 bushels per acre T:11.428”

By Rod Nickel and Simon Doyle

Reuters / Ottawa / Chicago

O-66-08/15-10406655-E

F:8.7”

dry spring and summer will mean less wheat and slightly less canola than traders had estimated, according to Statistics Canada’s first crop output report of the year. StatsCan pegged the allwheat crop at 24.63 million tonnes, the smallest in five years and down 16 per cent from last year. It also missed the average trade expectation of 25.6 million tonnes. Canola production looked set to reach 13.34 million tonnes, the lowest since 2010 and down 14 per cent from 2014. The estimate narrowly missed the average trade guess of 13.6 million tonnes. Farmers replanted many canola fields in Manitoba after damaging May frosts, while hot, dry conditions in Saskatchewan and Alberta stunted growth of canola, durum and spring wheat. Steep drops in yields led to lower output estimates, StatsCan said. It expects the average all-wheat yield to tumble 17 per cent to 38.1 bushels per acre, while the

average canola yield may drop 13 per cent to 30 bushels per acre. Output estimates “are certainly a bit lighter than the trade estimated,” said Cargill market analyst Dave Reimann. “Having said that, I think the market will view these as some of the lower numbers we’ll see this year.” The dry western Prairies received some rain and moderate temperatures since StatsCan conducted its farmer survey from July 22 through Aug. 3, Reimann said. ICE Canada November canola futures were little changed at $478.20 per tonne after the report. The drop in canola production sets up a supply squeeze for Canadian crushers and exporters, said market analyst Wayne Palmer of AgriTrend Marketing. “I think it will be a big problem,” said Palmer. StatsCan said farmers would produce 4.467 million tonnes of durum, down 14 per cent to a four-year low. But barley production looks to increase three per cent to 7.3 million tonnes, and oat output may climb 14 per cent to 3.31 million tonnes.

NEWS » Markets

}Soft wheat

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Bumper wheat crop in France

More food shortages predicted

France should produce a record 40.4 million tonnes of soft wheat this year despite this summer’s dry, hot weather, says FranceAgriMer. Like other crop forecasters, FranceAgriMer said drought and extreme heat this summer that hurt maize plants came too late to damage wheat that enjoyed good conditions earlier in its growth cycle. Its estimate is at the top end of market estimates putting the crop at 39 million to 40 million tonnes, and based on yields of 7.83 tonnes per hectare. The previous record for soft wheat production in France was 38.2 million tonnes harvested in 1998. Last year, the crop reached 37.5 million tonnes. — Reuters

Global food shortages will become three times more likely as a result of climate change, a joint U.S.-British task force has warned. Rather than being a once-a-century event, severe production shocks, including food shortages, price spikes, and market volatility, are likely to occur every 30 years by 2040, said the Taskforce on Extreme Weather and Global Food System Resilience. “The climate is changing and weather records are being broken all the time,” David King, the U.K. foreign minister’s Special Representative for Climate Change, said in the report. “The risks of an event are growing, and it could be unprecedented in scale and extent.” — Reuters

Economic uncertainty weighs back in on commodities Outside market factors dragged down canola futures By Phil Franz-Warkentin

CE Futures Canada canola contracts dropped lower during the week ended Aug. 21, although most of the weakness had more to do with outside markets than anything specific in canola. Statistics Canada released its first production estimates of the year on Aug. 21, putting an official survey-based number on the size of the canola crop. In those estimates, canola production is forecast at 13.3 million tonnes, which would be well off the 15.6 million tonnes grown in 2014. However, given the timing of the survey, conducted in late July, the general consensus is that better weather in August will likely see actual production come in closer to 14 million. Harvest pressure should build in the weeks ahead, but will also be countered by the need to keep some weather premiums in the futures, while yields and quality are still up in the air. Supply/ demand and weather issues have the potential to provide some support, with a chart-based bounce another possibility. However, canola is still a small player in the bigger story, and global economic uncertainty has returned to the forefront. Crude oil finished the week at its lowest levels in five years, while the equity markets dropped sharply and concerns mounted over the possibility of declining demand out of China. In the U.S., soybeans and wheat were both lower, but corn managed to hold within a narrow range. Soyoil posted some of the largest losses of any of the Chicago markets, with vegetable oil markets around the world posting steep declines. China is the No. 1 import destination for U.S. soybeans, and the concern now is that a slowdown in its economy will cut into some of that demand. Analysts in the agriculture sector have a mixed view on that, with many of the opinion that an economic slowdown in some sectors won’t necessarily spill into food demand. From a chart standpoint, November soybeans last week broke below the psychological

Photo: Thinkstock US$9-per-bushel mark, setting the stage for further speculative selling pressure. Then, on Monday morning (Aug. 24), a nine per cent drop in the Chinese stock market spilled over to trigger a massive sell-off in equity markets around the world. Commodities were also down sharply that morning, with November soybeans at US$8.66 per bushel at 9 a.m., and November ICE canola down $10 at C$469 per tonne.

Crop conditions

U.S. Midwestern weather conditions have turned relatively benign as far as beans are concerned,

although there is still plenty of time in the U.S. growing season to keep some premiums in the futures. Corn actually edged up for much of the week, despite the big moves in outside financial markets. U.S. crop tour results during the week were showing yields below earlier expectations, which helped the corn market ignore the bearish outside influences to some extent. For wheat, everything is still pointed lower, with the U.S. futures stuck in the well-established downtrend they’ve been in since the beginning of July. Even Canada’s smaller crop was not enough to provide any spark

for the futures. StatsCan pegged the 2015-16 wheat crop at 24.6 million tonnes, down by nearly five million from last year’s 29.3 million tonnes.

Phil Franz-Warkentin writes for Commodity News Service Canada, a Winnipeg company specializing in grain and commodity market reporting.

For three-times-daily markets reports and more from Commodity News Service Canada, visit the Markets section at www.albertafarmexpress.ca.

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

Ontario neonic fight goes to court

Canadian cattle herd continues to shrink But hog inventories are up slightly and exports increased by more than 17 per cent by Dave Bedard

BY ALEX BINKLEY

AF contributor / Ottawa

Grain Farmers of Ontario has asked the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to grant a stay on the implementation of the province’s regulations to restrict the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments. The case will be heard Sept. 28. In June, the Ontario government announced regulations designed to reduce neonic use by 80 per cent in two years in order reduce deaths of bees and other pollinating insects. “Our organization firmly believes these regulations are not workable and we are highly concerned about how they will negatively impact the future of grain farming in this province,” GFO chairman Mark Brock said in a statement. “There are numerous areas of serious concern for farmers and the grain industry within the regulations and we believe it is critical that the regulations be thoroughly reviewed by the court.” If the court provides a stay against them, farmers will be able to plant next year under the same rules followed this planting season. Brock said GFO is hoping a decision will be reached prior to the deadline for seed orders for 2016. At the same time, the organization is advising its members to attend information sessions on the regulations being held across the province. “The regulations are law and farmers need to educate themselves on compliance.” In seeking the court hearing, Toronto lawyer Eric Gillespie said the farm group would like to see the regulations to slash the use of the seed treatment in corn, soybean, and horticulture production delayed until next year. It has also requested the court to provide an interpretation of the regulations issued by the Ontario Environment Ministry “that can be reasonably met.” As currently written, they place farmers in an impossible situation, Gillespie said. Health Canada may play a role in the court case. Earlier this year, it said measures adopted to protect bees from neonic dust during the planting season are working. It promised a full report this fall on bee death reports. From preliminary data, it found “an 80 per cent in-season bee mortality decrease for the 2015 cornand soybean-planting season, compared to 2013. The 2014 season saw a 70 per cent decline in bee mortality.” The department “expects that the mitigation measures played a positive role in the reduction of bee death incidents. Other contributing factors may include a decrease in the number of beekeepers reporting and an overall improvement in bee health.”

AgCanada.com editor

he size of Canada’s cattle herd is still in decline and almost a quarter smaller than its peak in 2005, Statistics Canada reports. The federal statistics agency released estimates Aug. 20 showing the herd at 13 million cattle on farms on July 1 this year, down 2.1 per cent from the same date in 2014. Total cattle inventories at July 1 showed their greatest declines in Saskatchewan and Alberta, down three per cent at 2.715 million and down 2.8 per cent at 5.3 million respectively, compared to July 1, 2014. Except for steers (up four per cent at 65,400 head), overall cattle inventories declined compared to July 1 last year, with the number of beef cows on Canadian farms down 3.4 per cent at 3.8 million head,

and beef heifers held for breeding down 0.6 per cent at 612,600 head, StatsCan said. Canada’s farmers had 1.4 million dairy cows and heifers on their farms, down 2.2 per cent. Overall, the number of Canadian farms reporting inventories of cattle and calves sat at 82,050, down 0.6 per cent. Both slaughter and exports fell during the first half of 2015 compared with the same period in 2014, StatsCan said. “While cattle prices remain strong so far in 2015, limited cattle supplies mean that there are fewer animals available to market.” January to June cattle slaughter decreased 13.5 per cent, to 1.4 million head, compared with the first six months of 2014, while exports fell 21.4 per cent, to 491,500 head. Canada’s total inventory of cattle and calves on July 1 was 23 per cent below its peak level recorded in 2005, StatsCan noted.

Hogs, sheep

StatsCan’s estimate of Canada’s total hog inventories at July 1 sat at 13.225 million head, up 1.1 per cent from July 1 last year. Percentage-wise, the largest increases in inventory were seen in Saskatchewan and Ontario, up 2.2 per cent at 1.175 million and up 1.6 per cent at 3.092 million respectively. Hog farms reported a January to June 2015 pig crop of 14.1 million head, up 4.5 per cent from the year-earlier period. StatsCan, as of July 1, estimated 6,995 hog farms in Canada, down 0.4 per cent from the same date last year, with a total of 1.2 million sows and gilts, up 0.8 per cent. Canada exported 2.8 million hogs in the first half of 2015, up 17.8 per cent from the same period in 2014, StatsCan said. Noting “strong demand” for hogs in the U.S., StatsCan reported hog slaughter seven per cent higher in the first six

months of 2015 compared with the same period in 2014. The most recent U.S. datas show hog inventories increased nine per cent from June 1, 2014, StatsCan said. Hog slaughter also increased in Canada in the first six months of 2015, up 2.9 per cent from the same period in 2014, to 10.5 million head, StatsCan said. Sheep inventories at July 1 were down 2.1 per cent from July 1, 2014, as market lambs fell 2.1 per cent to 405,600 head, StatsCan said. The number of ewes declined 1.8 per cent, while replacement lambs fell three per cent. A m o n g l a r g e r s h e e p - p r oducing provinces, Ontario’s sheep inventory at July 1 sat at 329,100, down 1.9 per cent; Alberta’s sat at 195,000 head, down 2.5 per cent; Saskatchewan’s sat at 119,000 head, down 3.3 per cent; and Quebec’s sat at 260,000 head, down 0.8 per cent.

The best canola varieties and advice to match. Nexera™

CANTERRA SEEDS

DEKALB®

Syngenta®

UFA works with the leading seed companies to bring you the newest, top-yielding canola hybrids that ensure you get the most out of every acre. From names like InVigor®, CANTERRA SEEDS, DEKALB®, Syngenta® and Nexera™, we have solutions with genetics for particular disease resistance, yield advantages or early maturity ratings. Our prices are competitive and we’re always here to help. Our Crop Insights advisors are ready to assist in designing a successful plan from planting through harvest.

To ensure you get the hybrids that are right for your farm, call your local UFA and book your seed today.

InVigor®

45376_UFA-Canola print ad_a2.indd 1

2015-08-25 9:00 AM

news » livestock

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

U.S. herd expands

Rangeland assessment courses offered

Exports are down for Canadian cows, says provincial livestock market analyst Jason Wood. “On the export front, year-to-date feeders are down one per cent, slaughter fed cattle are down 49.5 per cent, and slaughter cows are down 28 per cent to the U.S.,” said Wood. “We’re still seeing a strong pull for feeders to the U.S.” The U.S. herd grew by 2.5 per cent in the past year and heifer retention is up seven per cent over July 2014. “These are strong numbers and the largest U.S. expansion in 25 years,” said Wood, adding herd expansion could start here in 2016 “if we can get the change in weather we’re looking for.” — AAF release

The Foothills Restoration Forum is holding two hands-on sessions on conducting range health assessments. The Foothills Fescue Range Health Assessment Training will be held on Sept. 15 in Stavely and the Mixedgrass and Dry Mixedgrass Range Health Assessment Training session will be held in the Cypress Hills/Manyberries area on Sept. 17. The courses will focus on the importance of healthy functioning rangelands and the key indicators used to measure rangeland health, and feature a curriculum flexible to a variety of experience levels. Register online at www.foothillsrestorationforum.ca or contact Donna Watt at corpirate@shaw.ca for additional information. — AAF release

Short on feed? You need a multi-pronged plan, says expert Get your winter feed in place now, fatten up light cows, save your pastures, and talk to your neighbours BY JEFF MELCHIOR AF contributor

aced with tight hay supplies and high feed prices, producers are naturally focused on how to feed their livestock over the winter — but they need a comprehensive plan, says a forage specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “If you don’t do a good job feeding these cows properly this winter it’s going to affect your calf crop next year; it’s going to affect calf growth rate and the overall winter feeding costs next year,” said Barry Yaremcio. “So it’s not just now until Christmas where you’ll see this impact — it will be a year, two years down the road until everything straightens itself out. The prep going into winter this year is key.” Fortunately, there are options available, but they require keeping your eyes open for bargains and your mind open to alternative feeds. “It’s a hunt-and-see game right now — whatever you can buy for the right price and use as a feedstuff,” said Yaremcio. “There are some grain brokers that are dealing in a number of different commodities that may not be traditional feeds. Some counties are allowing people to cut extra ditches this year to get extra hay, the public lands are trying to open up more land to provide additional grazing for animals. Basically, talk to your neighbours.” And get out your wallet, too. Feed prices are up almost across the board, Yaremcio said in a mid-August interview. “Last year, hay was selling for anywhere between four and six cents per pound. This year, people are asking eight to 12 cents per pound. In the last month and a half, barley has increased in price from about $4 a bushel to just over $5. For feed wheat in the central area, the current price (as of Aug. 11) is $179 per tonne. Last year at this time it was $149 per tonne.”

Don’t run short

For those and other reasons, having a fall feeding strategy is crucial, he said.

Dry conditions across much of Alberta have producers facing feed shortages. “Say you have a cow that is 200 pounds light going into winter. It’s going to require an extra 1,400 pounds of hay to get that cow through winter just to keep her warm, not to gain weight. So if you have 1,400 pounds at 12 cents a pound that’s an extra $168 to feed that cow compared to last year. “Fall management is critical right now to prepare for winter. Make sure you have the feed supplies in place so you don’t run out in February or March. Most years you can get away with going to the neighbours and buying their surplus. There’s not going to be any surplus this year. By the first of November it will be next to impossible to find anything.” Taking a hard look at the herd is also required. “Are there some that are getting old? Are there some with bad temperament? Are the open cows all candidates to go to the farmers’ market?” And if you’ve got grass, don’t be too quick to use it. “It’s tempting to throw cows out into the pasture when you see six or 10 inches of growth,” he said. “Don’t turn the cows onto it immediately because all you’re going to do is deplete the

PHOTO: WENDY DUDLEY

“It’s not just now until Christmas where you’ll see this impact — it will be a year, two years down the road until everything straightens itself out.” Barry Yaremcio

root food reserves in these plants and you’ll have more problems with possible low production next year because the plants are stressed or may not survive the winter. “If you want to use pastures that are growing now, wait until the middle of September or after a couple of frosts. When the plants go dormant, turn the cows in. That way you don’t damage the pastures for next year.”

Be creative

But now is the time to strike if you can find a bargain for feed — and they are out there, said Yaremcio.

“Harvest is coming on. If you look at some of these areas where the drought has hit, some of the farms will be harvesting barley that is a light bushel rate — 35 to 40 pounds per bushel barley instead of 48 pounds per bushel barley,” he said. But both have the same efficiency when feeding cows or backgrounding steers or replacement heifers, he said. “If you can get a discount on that light bushel weight, you may save yourself 50 or 75 cents a bushel for grain that is just as efficient for animal performance as heavyweight barley.”

Social media and neighbours are other potential sources of feed, especially at this time of year. “If they’re looking at crops that will only yield 10 to 30 bushels per acre of barley or wheat, those producers are likely asking themselves if those crops are going to be of more value by selling it to the neighbours or running a combine through them and marketing the grain later. Those decisions are being made as we speak.” And producers are getting creative, he added. “Farmers are being very frugal and thorough; trying to cut hay in ditches, using slough hay. A lot of people have been talking to me about using pea straw, barley straw, oat straw, rye and triticale. Flax straw as a feed portion works very, very well.” Farmers are also asking about supplements versus full rations of feed. “A lot of guys are looking at the economics and asking if it’s going to be cheaper to feed a straw ration with a high calcium magnesium supplement or spend those eight to 12 cents per pound on hay. To me the barley straw rations with the supplement are definitely cheaper.”

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

Clues to soil health lie in the patties The appearance of manure can tell you a lot about soil health, beneficial beetles, and whether cattle are getting the best gains BY JENNIFER PAIGE

“When you go to leave your paddock, if the cow manure is sticking to your tires and flying all over, you are in good shape.”

Staff

f you want a quick indicator of pasture soil health, just flip the flops. “When I am in my pastures I will flip the cow patties over and I want to see as many holes as I can because that is a sign of fertility,” Dave Pogson, a grazier from south-central Manitoba said at the recent Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association workshop. “Dung beetles create these holes and the more dung beetles you have the faster the nutrients are getting into the soil. This is also a way of telling how healthy your soil is.” Blain Hjertaas, a certified educator with Holistic Management International, agrees. He told a recent workshop in Wawota, Sask. that on a warm day when the soil is healthy, you should begin to see new dung beetles in the manure within six to 10 seconds. “If you are looking at land health, look for dung beetles flying around, as well as in the manure,” he said. “If you are using an insecticide on your grazing pastures, as the chemicals move through the body of the cow, they go out into the feces and the feces then become poisonous to the dung beetles and consequently the dung beetle population dies. At that point you can play Frisbee with your cow pies because they become hard as a rock.”

Neil Dennis

Wawota grazier Neil Dennis said he looks for certain characteristics. “I like to see the cow pies looking kind of like a pumpkin pie, mounded and dipped in the middle,” said Dennis. “With the yearlings, I like to see them sliced with a bit of a shiny coating on the outside. “You will usually see the greasy appearance at the end of the year when cattle are getting the best gains, especially if your sugar content and nutrient levels are right on.” Many times you can get a good idea of pasture health just by driving through your paddocks, said Dennis. “When you go to leave your paddock, if the cow manure is sticking to your tires and flying all over, you are in good shape. If you were to check your sugar content and pH at that point, they will be right on.” jennifer.paige@fbcpublishing.com

Neil Dennis (r) discusses what he looks for in animal manure with a group of producers during a field tour on his farm in Wawota, Sask. Photos: Jennifer Paige

Grazier Neil Dennis (r) indicates what he looks for in animal manure to help determine the health of pasture soil.

Dave Pogson, a cattle producer from Clearwater, says that he examines manure in his pastures to ensure insect activity as this is a sign of healthy soil.

USED EQUIPMENT NEW & IN STOCK • Parker Grain Carts • Rem Grain Vacs • Haybuster Bale Processors • PRO ALL Medium Harrow 70’

721490

719200

2012 New Holland CR9090E Combine, 775hrs, Excellent cond., loaded

2014 New Holland CR8090 Combine, 380hrs, Excellent cond., leather, full GPS, DSP, folding hopper

2011 New Holland 9070 Combine, 550hrs, 640HP, Excellent cond., loaded

2008 New Holland CR9060 Combine, 950hrs, Excellent cond.

2005 New Holland CR960 Combine, 1320HP, Good cond., deluxe cab.electric mirrors,2 speed rotors

2013 New Holland 840CD Header, head site, cross auger,transport, 2000 acres

2004 New Holland 94C Header, Good cond., NH adapter

2013 New Holland T7.235 Tractor, MFD, 1750hrs, 155HP, Good cond., loader, suspended cab, 3 hyd, 3 pt

$315,000

$335,000

$225,000

$179,000

$129,500

$59,500

$39,500

$135,000

HARVEST EQUIP 0% 30 MON USED COMBINES

628424

519766

TRACTORS 0% 36 MON USED 4WD TRACTORS

NH CR9070, 2011,525 sep hrs, gps . . . . . . . . . . . . . $235,000 NH CR9070, 2011,550 sep hrs, gps . . . . . . . . . . . . . $235,000 NH CR8090,2013,400sep,dsp,gps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $335,000 NH CR9090 Elevation,750sep, gps, 2012 . . . . . . . . $335,000 NH CR9060, 2008,940 sep hrs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $175,000 NH CR960, 2005,1130 sep hrs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $129,000 JD 9600,1989, stored inside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $34,500 CIH 2388,99,2000hrs,con . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $75,000 NH 840CD-30 like new,cross auger . . . . . . . . . . . . . $64,500 NH 840CD-30, header height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $59,500 MacDon 972-30’ header,TR/TX adptr . . . . . . . . . . . . $25,000 MacDon 973-30 header CNH adptr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $29,500 NH 971-30’,header,batt reel, trspt (2) TR-TX adapter $6,500

NH T9.450HD ,2013,1000PTO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $265,000 NH T9.450HD,2014,1000pto,620hrs . . . . . . . . . . . . $299,500 NH T9.450HD,2013,2250hrs,1000pto . . . . . . . . . . . $250,000 NH T7.235,2260hrs,ldr,3pt,2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $131,000 NH T7.235,2575hrs,ldr3pt,2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $129,500 NH T7.200,1650hrs,ldr,3pt,2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $129,500 CIH Puma 140,1000hrs,PS,2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $110,000 CIH 430 Steiger,2007,2600hrs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $185,000 CIH 9270,6300hrs,PS,20.8R42 duals . . . . . . . . . . . . . $65,000 CIH MXU135,6600hrs,ldr,3pt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45,000 NH T7.235,2013.PS,ldr,grpl,4 hyd,1750hrs . . . . . . . $135,000 NH T7.200,2013,1650hrs,ldr,grpl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $129,500 NH 846 6200hrs,12 spdd std,14’ blade. . . . . . . . . . . $49,500 Steiger Panther 1000, PS, 14’ blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . $58,500 NH l175 Skid Steer,1200hrrs,cah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25,500

713295

676944

SWATHERS

721428

705944

HAYING & LIVESTOCK

Swath Rollers available 8” steel & polly . . . . . . . . . . . $1,200

NH 660 auto wrap baler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,900 NH 664 Bale Command baler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,500 Tycrop 12 12 ton 16’ hidump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,500 Jiffy 600 high dump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,500 Haybuster 2650 bale processo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11,500 JF Stoll 1360 for age harvestor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $39,500

LAWN GARDEN

AUGERS

NH H8040-30’,2 roto shears,Trimble easy pilot, 2013.410hrs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $129,500 Westward 7000-25’ 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $19,500 Westward 3020-25’ pto swather,pur . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,500

Exmark LZE 691 52” zero tu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,900 Deines 1800KT-60” front mower,320hrs . . . . . . . . . . . $4,900 Grasshopper T616-48” front mower, powerfold . . . . . $7,900

SPRAYERS FlexiCoil S67XL,100’,scrns,SP655,mrkrs. . . . . . . . . . $11.500 FlexiCoil S65XL,100’, screens, markers, SP655 monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,500 CIH PS160-100’ suspended sprayer,duals . . . . . . . . $38,500

Westfield MK100x61 swing auger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,500 Sakundiak HD8x1600 24hp,mover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,900 Sakundiak HD8x1600,24hp,mover,clutch . . . . . . . . . . $8,900 Sakundiak HD10x140038hp, mover,clutch light kit $13.900 Sakundiak HD10x1200,31hp,mover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,500 Westfield MK130x71 low pro hopper . . . . . . . . . . . . $14,500 Westfield MK130x71,hyd swing & lift . . . . . . . . . . . . $16,500 Wheatheart SA1391,hyd swing & lift . . . . . . . . . . . . $19,500 Farmking 8x51xhyd swing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . offers Brandt 5000 grain vac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,900 Turbo 990 grain vac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,900

Linden Agri-Centre Ltd.

(403)546-3814

www.lindenag.com

(403)263-4688

Sales Manager - Ken Toews 888-8109 (cell) 546-2634 (res) • Ian Anhorn 888-8121 (cell) 631-2260 (res) • Kevin Helmer 373-5554 • Andy Nelson 588-4355

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

We need a better approach to dealing with wildlife Farming has created a great environment for wildlife but farmers are paying a steep price for the damage it causes beEf 911 }

By Roy Lewis DVM

here have been many articles on the escalating conflict between wildlife and agriculture (both livestock and grain production) in certain areas of Canada. Our governments are struggling as to what to do and the most recent survey on wildlife damage by Alberta Beef Producers and the Miistakis Institute shows a high percentage of farmers impacted by wildlife. The survey was meant for as many producers as possible whether they were having wildlife issues or not. It was very comprehensive and covered ungulates such as elk or deer; predators such as coyotes or cougars; and damage to grain from primarily waterfowl and ungulates. More than 80 per cent had damage from deer and elk; 74 per cent had damage from predators; and coyotes caused half the predator damage in Alberta even though they are not considered a predator like mountain lions and wolves are. It accounted for an overall loss of about one per cent of the entire cattle population, which is substantial. Governments need to do something regarding compensation and relaxing hunting laws — wildlife has never had it so good. There is no doubt most rural farm people like wildlife and enjoy seeing the odd moose, elk, or bear

Photo: tHINKSTOCK (maybe not grizzly) at their farm. Many of my beef clients over the years were serious hunters, but with that came a respect for the wildlife. They accepted a minor amount of damage because in the populated areas of the province, their farms are where the habitat is. Any of these interactions are good as long as they are in moderation and I stress moderation. The survey showed producers will tol-

erate some losses, but a few have extreme losses. When we hear of tons of grass or bales eaten and destroyed by a large herd of elk or healthy calves being picked off by wolves (and sometimes cougars), this is affecting a producer’s livelihood and we need solutions. It is because of the amount of cleared land and forage that has been produced that has allowed especially the ungulates to flourish. It is the environmentally con-

ATTENTION: MEN OVER FORTY In Alberta, 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. All men age 40 and over are invited to visit the Man Van during the scheduled clinic times and receive a free baseline PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test.

Upcoming Testing Clinics TABER Saturday, August 29, 2015 Host: Inter Pipeline 50th Street & 47th Ave 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm MILLARVILLE Saturday, September 5, 2015 Millarville Racetrack 9:00 am – 12:00 pm RED DEER Friday, September, 11, 2015 Host: The Drive 106.7 2850 Bremner Ave 11:00 am – 2:00 pm CREMONA Saturday, September 12, 2015 112 Railway Ave 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

BRAGG CREEK Sunday, September 13, 2015 Host: Redwood Meadows Fire Fighters Association 416 0 15 Balsam Ave. 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm LETHBRIDGE Friday, September, 18, 2015 Host: Alberta Treasury Branch #2 413 Highlands Blvd 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Visit www.getchecked.ca regularly for updates on testing clinics near you. For more information on booking a MAN VAN clinic in your community call 403.943.8952 or kenr@prostatecancercentre.ca.

PROUD SPONSORS

Media Partner:

scious producers who tend to look after things such as riparian areas that attract more wildlife. With more deer and elk, their predators have followed close behind. Solutions such as fencing feed yards and scaring the wildlife off help, but many of these solutions are just temporary. When wildlife are healthy their reproductive rates go up and overpopulation becomes the major problem. Whether it is too many elk coming out of the Suffield range or national parks being overgrazed, the issue really comes down to population control. Harvesting is the all-encompassing answer to many of the problems — whether by allowing extra hunting or harvesting by roundup. There are some areas where populations should be managed by trained biologists who have the power to make the right call. In the interim, compensation losses for lost standing forage hay and grain will help. But if populations are high, the losses will continue year after year after year. Moving a herd of elk or deer off your place, for instance, just drives them on to the neighbours. Since predators follow large ungulate herds, producers have, by default, two problems. One article I read talked about ‘good’ and ‘bad’ coyotes. Some stick to gophers and mice and so don’t bother cattle, and since coyotes are very territorial you want to keep a good family of coyotes on your farm. Some provinces compensate for coyote losses, but others — such as Alberta and Saskatchewan — don’t. Agriculture loss from wildlife varies greatly across the provinces (in Ontario, raccoons and rats are an issue) so each province should develop their own compensation programs. As a veterinarian, the wildlife interactions I frequently hear about are cattle injuries or deaths from predators. In these cases, we need to verify the cause of death. In the past there was compensation for deaths, but nothing for treatment of injured livestock. These are specific things that need

to be looked at in developing compensation packages going forward. It serves no one if vigilante warfare takes place because frustrated producers feel they have nowhere to turn. While disease transmission is quite low because of species differences, it still is a two-way street — both agriculture to wildlife and wildlife to agriculture. With diseases such as brucellosis, tuberculosis, and chronic wasting disease in elk, as well as specific parasitic diseases, we need to be ever vigilant and have good surveillance systems. I know many urban dwellers want all wildlife preserved, but the analogy of their own pet dog or cat being picked off by a cougar or their garden being destroyed by a bunch of deer describes how farmers sometimes feel. And for some farmers, their livelihood can be severely diminished by wildlife damage. Compensation programs must be easy to administer, have black and white answers, and offer timely payments. Governments need to look at sustainable programs to provide producers with enough compensation for some losses and population reduction where warranted, yet still have people catch that glimpse of wildlife. Catching or relocating a problem bear is much different than catching and relocating a large herd of elk. Perhaps harvesting for the food bank should be looked at. It seems that relocating large groups may just move the problem and unbalance the ecosystem somewhere else. I would think with the damage to our vehicles and injuries we incur in encounters with wildlife (especially deer and moose) that insurance companies would welcome a reduction of deer, especially in populated areas. Striking the right balance is what we are after. I haven’t even talked about migratory birds. Generally there is compensation but not when winter swath grazing crop is destroyed. The Miistakis Institute survey indicated damage by birds was a distant third on the list to ungulates and predators. The rules for all wildlife programs need to be fine tuned, kept current, reflect the main issues in each province, and offer compensation or assistance when warranted. This will keep agriculture in harmony with wildlife and protect wildlife for future generations to experience. National parks and diversified livestock farms are still great places to get fairly close to wildlife. (Be careful though, as wildlife is just that — wild — and we don’t want any human injuries.) Let’s all push for a fair resolution to this. The entire survey report is on the Alberta Beef Producers website (www.albertabeef.org). At the very least, read the 10-page summary for a better understanding of what is happening. Roy Lewis practised large-animal veterinary medicine for more than 30 years and now works part time as a technical services veterinarian for Merck Animal Health.

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

Using sun power to open gates Producers find using solar-powered gate releases makes life easier, and increases stocking rates BY JENNIFER PAIGE

“With the animal control and timed grazing, we have doubled the capacity of our system in the first year of use, while at the same time increasing our stocking rate by 63 per cent.”

Staff

eil Dennis could see the advantages of intensively grazing small paddocks by moving his cattle often — but going to the fields every two hours to move the herd was time consuming. Now he gets the sun to open those gates for him with the help of a portable solar-powered automatic gate release timer sold by Batt-Latches. “These Batt-Latches are what has turned the farm around for me,” said Dennis, operator of Sunnybrae Farm near Wawota, Sask. “I could see that moving the animals more often was making a difference on the land in terms of animal impact, but it was a lot of work to get out to the field every few hours and move the gates.” Having the ability to expose new paddocks at any time of day or night allows producers to decrease the size of paddocks and up the intensity of rotational grazing. “I used to have to go out to my fields every two hours to move the cattle and now I just spend two hours in the morning when it is still cool setting up all the releases for the day,” said Dennis. Developed by Novel Ways, an electronic product development company from New Zealand, BattLatches are the world’s only portable, solar-powered automatic gate release timers.

Brian Harper

Neil Dennis (l) and Brian Harper (r), experienced cattle grazers, shared the benefits of using Batt-Latches at a recent field tour at Circle H Farm near Brandon. Photo: Jennifer Paige The technology allows farmers to move cattle more frequently with less labour, while enabling an increased stocking rate. “Our timer is a specialist product, and I understand there is a growing interest in cell grazing in the U.S. and Canada,” said Graham Lynch, owner of Novel Ways. “In New Zealand, the main use is to allow a herd of cows to move to a feed pad or the dairy platform at their own speed, at any hour of the day or night required. “This saves up to an hour of work per milking, and about 70 per cent of lameness issues disappear. This gives a net value per timer, per year,

of about $20,000 when compared with normal farming methods.” The electronic locking device incorporates a timer that can release the gate latch at a specified time to open the gate to another paddock. “Using these Batt-Latches allows me to move my cattle into new paddocks without having to come out to the field. I can move them more frequently, give them better feed, which increases gains, without any added labour,” said Brian Harper, owner of Circle H Farms, located west of Brandon, Man. “I consider them to be an incomegenerating investment. They are

very durable and easy to use. The setting of the latches allowed us to have better control of the animals and timing of our grazing. This aided in protecting the recovery time on the regrowth, short graze period followed by a long rest period.” The latches can be used on any gate system and have been designed with a waterproof polycarbonate body that enables the tool to endure all weather conditions. Release times can be set up two weeks in advance and offer the flexibility to store four release events at a time. Farmers have also reported

reduced bullying as the unattended gate release allows animals to move at a more leisurely pace and retain herd hierarchy, said Lynch. A single Batt-Latch costs approximately $400 but those who use the system say the cost is quickly recouped through saved fuel and running costs. “With the animal control and timed grazing, we have doubled the capacity of our system in the first year of use, while at the same time increasing our stocking rate by 63 per cent over the previous methods we were using, which for the most part was a twice-over system,” said Harper. “The extra beef produced per acre in the first year easily paid for the Batt-Latches.” jennifer.paige@fbcpublishing.com

USED EQUIPMENT

USED TILLAGE

(2) Flexicoil 2070 Precision Hoe Drill, ‘12, 60’, 10” spacing, Dutch Side Band, Dlb Shoot,pneumatic packers, intelliview 4 monitor, w/ Flexicoil P1060 Cart 430 bushels, variable rate - tbt, dual fan . . . . . . . . $241,500 *For commercial use only. Offer subject to credit qualification and approval by CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. See your New Holland dealer for details and eligibility requirements. CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. standard terms and conditions will apply. Depending on model, a down payment may be required. Offer good through August 31, 2015, at participating New Holland dealers in Canada. Offer subject to change. Taxes, freight, set-up, delivery, additional options or attachments not included in price. © 2015 CNH Industrial Capital America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland Agriculture is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. CNH Industrial Capital and New Holland Construction are trademarks in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates.

USED HAYING Case IH RBX562, ‘03, $230/mth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,250 NH 1475 Mower conditioner, 18’, w/new knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $19,000

USED COMBINES

NH CR9080, ‘11, rotary, GPS full yield/moisture monitor, 0% - 30 months . . . . . . . . . . $270,000 NH CR9070, ‘10, 932 hrs, 76C, 16’, p/u, duals, crop catcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $209,000 NH CR9070, ‘09, 750 hrs, duals, GPS, Y&M, w/header . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200,000 NH 72C hdr, ’11, 25’, w/new Trailteck transp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $24,500 Case 2388, ‘02, 2034 hrs w/2015 axial flow p/u, very clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $95,000 TX66, Mechanic’s Special. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,000 TX36, ‘92, Swath master p/u, 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $19,500 ‘11 72C Header, 25’, 1 Available w/new trailteck transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $24,500

Bills

FARM SUPPLIES

www.billsfarm.com

Flexicoil 5000 Hoe Drill, shortened to 37’ have wings for 51’, 7.5” spacing, 2” stealth boots, single shoot, 2.5” rubber packers, w/ Flexicoil 2320 cart, 230 bushels, mechanical - tbh, fan . . . . . . .$57,000 Flexicoil 820/1330 Cart, 12”–29’ single shoot, 4 bar harrow, 75 packer bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$27,000 Morris Maxxim 2, ‘05, 40’ airdrill w/8336 cart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$75,000

0% FOR 30 MONTHS

4004 44th Ave. – Stettler, AB Phone: (403) 742-8327 Fax: (403) 742-1282

Flexicoil 5000 Hoe Drill, 39’, 9” spacing, steel packers, 3.5” Dutch Paired Row Boots, Double Shoot Primary Blockage w/2340 Variable Rate Cart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$55,000

Concord Drill, 47’, 10” spacing, 4.5” GEN Paired Row, dbl shoot, pneumatic packers, w/Case IH 3400 cart, 340 bushels, Mechanical - tbh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25,500 Bourgault 330 Series Air Seeder, 42’, 8” spacing, 1.75” Bourgault openers, single shoot, 2” steel packers, granular kit, w/ Bourgault 180 cart, 180 bushels, mecanical - tbh . . . . . . . . . . .$17,000

USED TRACTORS NH T9040 HD, ‘10, 435 hp, 710/42 rubber, 2765 hrs, w/Degelman 4 way blade/silage guard, 0% - 12 month waiver . . . . . . . . . . . .$235,000 NH T9020, ‘10, 4WD, 2635 hrs, 335HP, 14’ 6 way Degelman Blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$185,000 JD 7800, ‘95w/loader, FWA, quad shift/grapple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $40,000 JD 8640 4WD, w/14’ 6 way blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $26,500

USED SWATHERS HB 30’ fits NH 8000 Series Swather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $37,000

YOUR POWER TEAM HEADQUARTERS Terry Jobs – 403-740-9473 Parts: 403-742-8327 Kevin Koustrup General Manager: Tracey Peters Service Manager: Regan Finlay 403-740-6494 Sales: 403-820-4703

AFTER HOURS TELEPHONE

} forecasts

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

California drought costing billions California’s ongoing drought will cost its economy $2.74 billion this year and lead to the loss of 10,000 seasonal farm jobs despite overall health in the state’s agricultural sector, says a new report. Last year, the economic impact was estimated at $2.2 billion, said the University of California agricultural economists who authored the report. The report also estimates that with dry conditions and difficulty obtaining water for irrigation, farmers would have to fallow 542,000 acres of land in 2015, about 114,000 more acres than estimated for 2014. Nevertheless, California’s agricultural economy is growing despite the drought, they said. — Reuters

A double drought whammy An El Niño weather pattern strengthened in the first half of August and there’s only a “small chance” the event will be over by the end of this year, says the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Tropical Pacific Ocean temperatures are well above El Niño thresholds, alongside consistently weakened trade winds, it said. Three of five models monitored also predicted a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, which indicates warmer sea surface temperatures in the western Indian Ocean relative to the east. An El Niño and positive Indian Ocean Dipole, last recorded in 2006, typically sees drought across more of Australia. — Reuters

Why does El Niño have such a big impact on our weather? It’s all about heat and the atmosphere’s aversion to imbalances when it comes to hot and cold

file photo by daniel bezte

few weeks ago while waiting for a triathlon to start, a thunderstorm rolled through the region forcing everyone to run for shelter. While listening to people talk during the storm I overheard a weather-related idea or story that I’ve actually been mulling in my head for a while now, but I still haven’t figured out how to properly broach the subject. What I overheard had to do with something I refer to as ‘now forecasting.’ During the storm someone mentioned that the forecast said the thunderstorms weren’t supposed to arrive until 1 p.m. This ‘now forecasting’ is a trend that several forecasters have added to their weather apps. These break the forecast down into hourly time frames with some even adding in estimates of when rain or storms may arrive (down to the minute), based on radar trends. For those of you who follow the weather closely you know that getting a general 24-hour period forecast correct is tough. Trying to predict things on an hourly basis, is, in my opinion, verging on insanity. Sometime over the next month or two I’ll figure out a way to look into this topic in more detail. For this issue, we will begin a look into El Niño, just what it is and what impact might it have on our weather. Simply put, El Niño is a change

in ocean surface temperatures across the tropical and subtropical Pacific Ocean. This change in ocean temperatures then creates a change in the weather patterns across the Pacific Ocean. Now the big question is why a change in weather over the Pacific Ocean can have an impact on us? The first and most simple reason is that the Pacific Ocean just happens to cover half of our planet — so any large-scale change in it is bound to have an impact elsewhere. Actually, maybe it’s not that simple. Even though the Pacific Ocean is huge, why should changes in weather in that area of the world impact us? Keeping in mind just how big the Pacific is, let’s now look at what the Pacific Ocean is made of, hmmmmm, could it be water? Lots and lots of water! OK, so the Pacific Ocean is really big and it is made of water, but that still doesn’t explain why changes in it affect the weather way over here. To really understand, we need to remember that it takes a whole lot of energy to warm water up, and conversely, water releases a whole lot of energy when it cools down. In essence, water is like a battery that stores heat, and therefore, the Pacific is like a really big heat battery. From a general point of view, weather is the atmosphere’s attempt to equal out heat imbalances. Like most of us, the atmosphere likes things to be equal. If there is too much heat in one place or too much cold in

another, it tries to make things equal by sending cold air southwards and warm air northwards. For the tropical areas of our planet, they rarely — if ever — see or feel cold air trying to move southward. If you live in the Arctic regions, you would rarely, if ever, see the really warm air try to move northward. For those of us in the middle, we are constantly feeling and seeing this movement of cold and warm air. And we call it weather. Now, back to the Pacific Ocean, our big heat battery. If the Pacific is storing up heat and releasing it into the atmosphere, that heat energy has to go somewhere. Some of it simply warms the air, but then the atmosphere wants to equal out that warm air, so off that warm air goes. A big chunk of the heat energy coming out of the Pacific goes into developing clouds, precipitation, and storm systems. These storm systems are an efficient way for the atmosphere to move heat around and equalize it, because you can move a lot more energy by moving warm water around (remember clouds are made up of water) than you can by moving warm air. This overall movement of warm air and storm systems over the Pacific Ocean creates a general pattern of winds around the world. If you remember back to our articles about general atmospheric circulation, we know that the general movement of air around the planet comes about by the Earth trying to equal

This map shows the total amount of precipitation that has fallen across Alberta this growing season (up to Aug. 15) as a percentage of the long-term average. From the map you can see that it has been a dry growing season up to this date with only a few areas around the Peace River region and in the Central Region reporting around average amounts. Everywhere else amounts have been in the 50 to 60 per cent range with some areas only recording amounts in the 25 to 50 per cent range. out warm and cold regions. It is this that creates the westerly winds in our region of the world; the tropical easterlies to our south; and finally, the polar easterlies in the high Arctic. Under normal temperature conditions across the Pacific, the general flow of the atmosphere follows this simple pattern, and since a large portion of our weather comes off of the Pacific (because we live in the generally westerly flowing part of the atmosphere) our weather tends to be rather average. If we change the amount of heat over a large portion of the Pacific, either by warming up the Pacific

Ocean (El Niño) or cooling it down (La Niña), this disrupts the general flow of air across this region and can start to impact how the air flows across our region. Next time we’ll take a closer look at just exactly what happens over the Pacific to allow El Niño to form and examine how these events are classified. Daniel Bezte is a teacher by profession with a BA (Hon.) in geography, specializing in climatology, from the U of W. He operates a computerized weather station near Birds Hill Park. Contact him with your questions and comments at daniel@bezte.ca.

Trim: 10.25”

Cereal producers urged to take care

Dry conditions have allowed weeds — including herbicide-resistant ones — to thrive in many fields By Sarah Weigum AF contributor

After confirming herbicide-resistant wild oats in a field, Jay Schultz plans to diversify his crop and chemical rotations. PHOTO: SARAH SCHULTZ recommended strategy for reducing herbicide-resistant weeds. His customers have plenty of time to control weeds after harvest, said Gosling. “We’re already into harvest a month earlier than normal so we’ve got maybe 50 days before long-term frost patterns set in. The most successful perennial weed control I’ve seen is in early October.” An early harvest also gives farmers another weed control option that does not increase selection pressure for herbicide-resistant weeds such as wild oats. Winter cereals — while a “logistically challenging crop to get in” — provides the

early-spring competition necessary to keep many weeds in check. “Every time I’ve ever grown winter wheat, I can’t remember spraying for wild oats,” said Gosling. “Every time we don’t spray we buy ourselves one more year of resistance.” Gosling actually recommended not spraying for wild oats in some of his clients’ spring-seeded crops this year. Where dry spring conditions made for tight budgets and very low wild oat presence, Gosling thought it was worth cutting out a year of herbicide tolerance selection pressure, even if it meant a few wild oats went to seed.

Corn hybrids that yield for Alberta DuPont Pioneer offers a full lineup of corn hybrids for grain, silage or grazing. Pioneer brand seed products 39F44 (RR2) and P7958AM (AM, HX1, LL, RR2) are two of our leading corn hybrids for Alberta. Contact your local Pioneer Hi-Bred sales rep today to learn more and order seed. ®

pioneer.com/canada

2000 heat units

DUPONT DIRECT

2275 heat units

Trim: 15.58”

lthough dry conditions made weed control a challenge during the 2015 growing season, late-summer moisture and an early harvest may give farmers a decent chance to control perennial weeds. “I’ve heard it said that 80 to 90 per cent of successful weed elimination comes from a competitive crop,” said Matt Gosling, an agronomist in the Strathmore area. “This year we didn’t have a lot of competitive crops and I saw a lot of dirtier-thannormal fields.” Canada thistle thrived in the dry weeks of May and June and winter annuals were also prevalent in fields across the province. Pre-harvest glyphosate applications are favoured by many farmers for its two-for-one desiccation and weed control benefits, but it may not be the best way to control stubborn weeds this year. “In most circumstances, we have good staging for spraying weeds now, but it makes me nervous that we have so many days before weeds go into dormancy,” said Gosling. This year, applying herbicide after harvest may be the better option as it gives perennial and winter annual weeds less time to grow through the chemical application and survive the winter. A post-harvest application also offers more flexibility for tank mixing various herbicides with the glyphosate — an industry-

Wheatland County farmer Jay Schultz feels he isn’t sure whether skipping a spray is the right choice. He understands the principle behind decreasing selection pressure, but his goal is to “overall decrease (the) number of weeds for the long term.” Schultz faces a challenge in a field of peas where lab tests confirmed Group 1- and Group 2-resistant wild oats this year. He sprayed the crop with glyphosate before harvest and since the wild oats were still green, he hopes the chemical they take up will reduce the vigour of the seed. After harvest he plans to pull out a heavy harrow with Valmar to spread granular wild oat herbicides like Treflan and Avadex which are from herbicide Groups 3 and 8. Unlike the clichéd advice, “If it’s not broke don’t fix it,” Schultz’s mantra on herbicides is, “If something works, change it.” He has read about farmers in Australia and the United Kingdom who are spending more than $100 per acre to control various herbicideresistant weeds. Along with diverse herbicides, Schultz hopes to mix up his crop rotation. He’s considering planting winter wheat in a couple of years and after that may look at various forage crops that local livestock owners could cut for feed or graze cattle on. It takes extra planning and logistics to make this multi-pronged weed control strategy work, but for Schultz it’s worth it. “We don’t want to abuse what we have.”

Pioneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. ® SM TM , , Trademarks and service marks of DuPont, Pioneer or their respective owners. © 2015, PHII.

A bad year for crops has been a good one for weeds

Roundup Ready is a registered trademark used under license from Monsanto Company. ® LibertyLink and the Water Droplet Design are trademarks of Bayer. Herculex® I insect protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred. ®, ™ Herculex and the HX logo are trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC.

A new campaign is urging cereal producers to be vigilant about grain safety. Cereals Canada launched the Keep it Clean — Cereals campaign because of growing scrutiny of grain, said Cam Dahl, the organization’s president. “Canadian farmers consistently deliver high-quality safe food to consumers around the world,” said Dahl. There are a few steps that producers can take to ensure that Canada preserves and builds on this brand reputation.” This includes knowing the market implication of all crop production products; following label instructions; and using best practices to avoid mycotoxin growth. The website for the campaign is www.cerealscanada.ca/keep-it-clean/. — Staff

} sAFE FOOD

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Look for improved basis this year It’s a very different situation from two years ago — now grain companies are keen to ‘keep their pipelines moving’ BY JEFF MELCHIOR AF Contributor

bad-news year for crop production is a good year when it comes to basis — and so farmers should be shopping around this harvest, say market analysts. “In general in years when supplies are tight locally or in a region, you would normally expect to see basis levels that are stronger than what you would see with a bumper crop,” said Alyssa Mistelbacher, an analyst with FarmLink Market Solutions in Winnipeg. “A basis reflects the local supply-and-demand relationship, or rather the needs of a local crusher or grain company, so to the extent that the supply is smaller because of the dry conditions, this should lead to relatively stronger basis levels over the coming year. This

is something that we are already seeing in wheat.” John De Pape of Farmers Advanced Risk Management is also looking for basis to increase this fall if current conditions hold. “Two years ago, basis got terrible because we as an industry didn’t have the capacity to move the grain that needed to be moved,” said De Pape. “The crop size was so huge compared to our ability to move it (and) farmers were desperate to move grain so the price had to go down and basis had to go down.” But this fall, the game will be about best utilizing that capacity to fill orders from grain buyers. “We will see basis improve simply because we have a set capacity in terms of handling and capacity and a smaller crop,” said De Pape. “The grain companies will bid up to keep their pipelines moving. That’s when you’ll really see some competition in terms of price. The

basis will improve if they have more than enough capacity.” But this tide will not lift all boats, the analysts said — and that’s why producers need to keep a close watch on local markets. Like many market measurements, the fundamental principles of market basis are simple but the reality can be incredibly complex. For example, different classes and grades of wheat will have entirely different basis levels. “With wheat in Canada, different classes of wheat are almost like different commodities — the basis for each will be different,” said De Pape. That makes getting the best price a challenge, he said, adding many producers were caught off guard by the intricacies of marketing wheat after the end of the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly. “A lot of them thought, ‘Well, I can trade canola — I’ve hedged my canola, wheat won’t be any differ-

This year’s smaller crop is expected to lead to more attractive basis, but producers will need to watch for local opportunities. photo: allan dawson ent,’” said De Pape. “I think they found out it was. Under the Canadian Wheat Board the farmer’s price was not related to the futures price at any given time. Rather it was set by the wheat board as an initial and final payment. But

AGRICULTURE IS A CURIOUS BUSINESS. Always watching and thinking, then searching for ways to make our industry more effective. AdFarm is proud to be part of this curious process, helping our clients present the true picture of farming, food and rural life. AdFarm is a Contributing Member of Ag For Life, an initiative which delivers educational programming around rural and farm safety and a means to build a genuine understanding of the impact agriculture has on the lives of all Albertans. To learn more about Ag For Life, go to agricultureforlife.ca

08/15-23180_2 AFE

negotiating payments with basis is quite complex.” For example, buyers of hard red spring wheat set their price basis to the Minneapolis futures market, he said. “But if they’re buying a lowerquality hard red spring wheat, maybe because the protein’s not there, the value for that wheat might be more relevant to the Kansas City futures contract because it might be competing against winter wheat. “For most grain companies, their bid to the farmer will be a basis relative to Minneapolis regardless of where they’re going with it. But internally, if they’re buying No. 2 wheat that contains 12 per cent protein, it may be going into a lower-quality market so they may hedge that internally with Kansas City futures — or Chicago wheat futures, depending on the end use. “Buying wheat basis to Minneapolis futures and selling and hedging it in other markets makes the basis paid to farmers do unexpected things.” In its simplest terms, basis is the difference between the futures price of a commodity and the cash price. It’s a signal to grain companies looking to either attract more grain or slow down their intake as well as to farmers deciding whether to sell or store their product. The best way to look at basis is to consider it a price, not a cost, said De Pape. “Futures specify a very specific location, a very specific time, and a very specific quality. Any time those things are different, the price will be different.” Mistelbacher describes basis as a localized interpretation of the futures market. “Think of it this way: A futures value represents a global price for grain on a given day, which is used as a benchmark and helps to establish local values,” she said. “The purpose of the basis is to allow the local cash price to adjust to fit the reality of local buying and selling interest. It ultimately reflects the local market conditions.” But basis can be a temperamental measurement. It’s influenced by a number of factors such as foreign exchange rate, transportation and handling costs, storage and profit margin – some of which can vary wildly not just from year to year but even within the growing season. The steep fall in the Canadian dollar this year is going to have a big impact and so producers should also keep a close watch on the exchange rate. “As the value of the Canadian dollar goes down in concert with the rising U.S. dollar, our cash basis levels expand, giving us higher cash value opportunities,” said Mistelbacher.

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

Wheat commission pricing website to roll out new features

A hazy bird’s-eye view

BY JEFF MELCHIOR AF contributor

roducers across Western Canada will soon have a new tool to help them make decisions on when to sell and get the best value for their grain. A website from the Alberta Wheat Commission called www.pdqinfo.ca is currently in test mode and will be rolling out new features over the coming year. The site — which stands for ‘price and data quotes’ — currently offers benchmark prices for three wheat classes (Canada Western Red Spring, Canada Western Amber durum, and Canada Prairie Spring Red) and canola. It presently covers eight zones: three in Alberta, four in Saskatchewan, and one in Manitoba. Just one part of a price information project supported by $740,000 in federal funding, PDQ Info is intended to offer producers and other grain industry stakeholders more timely and detailed market data than what is currently available. More information reflecting a greater number of crops and zones throughout Canada will be added over the next six to 12 months, said John De Pape of Farmers Advanced Risk Management, the grain-marketing consulting firm leading the project. The goal is to provide key market info for farmers, analysts, government agencies and crop insurance firms, he said. “There is a level of information we can provide in terms of deferred prices, trends in prices, and separating futures and basis,” he said. “We will be focusing on basis a lot, what it is in different regions and how the basis is changing. There’s a lot of information you need to market properly and we’re just trying to make that easier for everybody.” The market data for the site is provided by grain buyers licensed with the Canadian Grain Commission and averaged by region before posting. The site does not present the proprietary information of individual grain buyers, said De Pape. “If you as a farmer want to know what your local elevator is paying you will have to go to their website or call them. We don’t want to interfere with that interaction.”

A Swainson’s hawk perches on a round bale, near Longview, Alta., in a valley full of wildfire smoke that has drifted northeast from Washington state. Photo: Wendy Dudley

NEW at Agribition!

NOVEMBER 23-28, 2015

Bull Calf Jackpot Tuesday, November 24 Chevrolet GMC Stadium

Features food products, kitchen products, workshops, cooking demos, As Seen On TV products, food sampling, and more!

Catch a ride from Southland or Northgate Mall right to the Brandt Centre doors!

For the full schedule of events, visit:

www.agribition.com

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Bitter weed a common sight in Alberta Noxious grassland invader: tall buttercup Tall buttercup is often found in Alberta, including in the MD of Lesser Slave River as well as Big Lakes, Yellowhead, Clearwater, and Mountain View counties. This plant contains a bitter, irritating oil that is toxic and can harm grazing livestock, especially cattle. This weed is an invader of wet areas, preferring humus soils, but also surviving in coarser soils, if enough moisture is available. Livestock tend to avoid eating it, but this can allow this weed to take over. It has erect stems, highly branched in the upper part of the plant and can grow to 90 centimetres tall. It has bright-yellow flowers and five petals with a shiny, Contact your local fieldman at www.aaaf.ab.ca

Halting land grabs the next target of global food giants More than 32 million hectares in some of the world’s poorest countries have been gobbled in large-scale land deals since 2000

Cattle don’t like tall buttercup, but that can allow it to take over a pasture. PHOTO: Dawnia Myshak waxy appearance on the upper side. Leaves are deeply divided, three to eight centimetres long towards the bottom of the plant and smaller towards the top of the stem. Herbicide is the most effective way to control an established infestation, while a healthy strong stand of grass will outcompete tall buttercup. For more information on noxious weeds: www.abinvasives.ca

Thomson Reuters Foundation

lobal food giants and international NGOs have drafted a framework to prevent land grabs just as hedge funds, companies and plantation owners race to acquire new territory. Drafted by senior figures from Nestle, Unilever, Coca-Cola and other large firms, along with researchers from Oxfam, Global Witness and the other international organizations, the voluntary guidelines on responsible land acquisition were released earlier this month. Indigenous people and local farmers in some of the world’s poorest countries in recent years have seen companies push onto

land they have inhabited for generations, as investors scramble to secure land rights and forest resources. “Companies are taking greater responsibility to avoid forced evictions. They don’t want to be expelling people from their land in order to produce goods,” said Jeffrey Hatcher, managing director of Indufor, a consultancy, and one of the authors of the new guide.

‘Voluntary’ plans

Based on the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s guidelines, the framework is designed to make it easier for companies to comply with guidelines on buying land in areas where legal systems and formal documentation over who controls territory are often murky.

The guidelines don’t just recognize formal ownership, they also back a form of squatters’ rights, where communities that have been living and working in an area for a long period have some claim to the land, said Hatcher. The document also provided guidance on how to handle grievances from communities that feel they were unfairly impacted by land investments, Hatcher said. Critics, however, say the initiative does not go far enough. “Given the devastating impact of these large-scale land acquisitions, a set of ‘voluntary’ guidelines leaves communities vulnerable to the ‘goodwill’ of corporations at best,” said Anuradha Mittal, director of the Oakland Institute, a food rights think-tank. The companies have not formally endorsed the document, but activists hope participation by top corporate executives will create changes on the ground in some of the world’s resource-rich, developing countries. Unilever, a major consumer goods manufacturer, declined interview requests, but sent a statement calling land rights a “core focus area” for the firm. The company is “developing a new Global Land Rights Policy” which it will publish later this year, it said. Palm oil plantations, cattle ranches, large forestry operations, sugar cane plantations and crops grown to produce biofuels are among the largest targets land grabbers seek.

‘Reputational risks’

Corporations have faced “reputational risks” from activists campaigning against the land grabs, said Rodney Schmidt, deputy director of the Rights and Resources Initiative, one of the NGOs backing the new guidelines. “But companies are also realizing they have a competitive edge if they address potential social conflicts around tenure issues up front,” Schmidt said. “Indigenous people and local communities are becoming more aware that they have rights under national and international legislation.” More than 32 million hectares, an area larger than Poland, have been traded in large-scale land deals since 2000, according to a study from Sweden’s Lund University published in November. Schmidt has seen “a major increase in demand for largescale land acquisitions” over the past decade, much of it coming from emerging markets. That pressure has relaxed with the recent drop in oil and other commodity prices, he said, “but the long-term trend points towards competing claims for land-based resources.”

LOOKING FOR EQUIPMENT?

TRY SCAN TO DOWNLOAD THE APP »» 45622 CPS Marathon_8.125x10_a2.indd 1

2015-08-05 3:11 PM

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

T:10.25”

Address the Elephant in the Field.

Take charge of your resistance concerns by making Liberty® herbicide a regular part of your canola rotation. As the only Group 10 in canola, Liberty combines powerful weed control with effective resistance management to help protect the future of your farm. To learn more, visit: BayerCropScience.ca/Liberty

T:15.5”

BayerCropScience.ca or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative.

Always read and follow label directions. Liberty® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.

O-67-08/15-10401731-E

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Minimize your road risk during harvest Take a moment to review the hazards of taking farm equipment on public roads Alberta Agriculture and Forestry release

The dangers are well known and yet 13 per cent of farm-related fatalities are traffic related. FILE PHOTO

HELP IN EVERY DIRECTION. To provide you with the best agricultural equipment and support possible, we have over 40 locations across the Western Prairies. So you never have to look far to find us. And we never have to look far to service you. It’s the kind of proximity, convenience, and quality that you can depend on. See our full lineup of Case IH equipment at rockymtn.com. DEPENDABLE IS WHAT WE DO.

ccording to the Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting program, 13 per cent of farm-related fatalities across Canada are traffic related, and most involved tractors. During the busy fall harvest season, farmers often travel long distances between fields, and this requires transport-

ing equipment on public roads throughout rural Alberta. Farm equipment is oversized and slow compared to other vehicles using the roads, and when certain procedures are not met, this can lead to collisions and other incidents.

Make it safe

Maintenance is a contributing factor to the safety of transporting farm equipment. Poor maintenance of equipment such as brakes or tires can lead to loss of control of the vehicle. Check all tires for air pressure, cuts, bumps, and tread wear. Always lock brake pedals together for highway travel as sudden braking at high speeds on only one wheel could put the tractor into a dangerous skid. Equip heavy wagons with their own independent brakes. The No. 1 cause of farmrelated fatalities in Canada is machinery rollovers. To minimize the risk of severe injury or death to the operator, all tractors need rollover protective structures. In addition, operators should always wear a seatbelt as rollover structures are ineffective without this restraining device.

Make it visible

To avoid traffic collisions between motorists and farm equipment, farmers should ensure their equipment is clearly visible and follow all regulated requirements for lighting and signage. Use reflective tape and reflectors in the event that large equipment is required to travel in dim lighting conditions. In Canada, reflective material should be red and orange strips. You can purchase reflective tape in kits or by the foot at local farm or hardware stores. Dust-covered signage and lights make farm machinery less visible to motorists and dust-covered machinery causes poor visibility for the operator. A slow-moving vehicle sign is required for equipment travelling less than 40 km/h, and must be properly mounted, clean, not faded and clearly visible.

Plan the route

ROCKYMTN.COM

Check the route to be sure equipment will fit on all roads and bridges and that there are no low-hanging power lines. Use a pilot vehicle as a guide for large machinery and to warn motorists of oncoming large equipment. It is highly recommended that farmers move equipment during daylight hours and periods of light traffic. Avoid busy roads whenever possible, even if travel time will be longer. Be aware some rural railway crossings have poor visibility. Some tractors can free-wheel in higher gears, which can be very dangerous when travelling down a hill.

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

Auger accidents happen in a flash The safety rules are simple, but talking about the dangers and having a buddy system are key Alberta Agriculture and Forestry release

ugers are hazardous, and that’s why safety protocols and talking about the dangers with co-workers are critical. When using an auger, one person should be designated as being in charge of the task, and the equipment should be periodically inspected during operation. While the auger is running: • Observe work area restrictions; • Keep all safety shields and devices in place; • Make certain everyone is clear before operating or moving the machine; • Keep hands, feet, hair, and clothing away from moving parts; • Shut off and lock out power to adjust, service, or clean the equipment; • Always use the buddy system when unloading or loading grain — notify a second person where you are at all

times, so that help can quickly be called if needed. “Grain-handling entrapments can happen very quickly,” said Kenda Lubeck, a farm safety specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “Flowing grain can draw in a person within five seconds. That time is decreased with the use of highcapacity unloading equipment, such as large wagons emptied quickly with large augers. Children are at an even greater risk around flowing grain.” As well, never enter a bin when grain is caked or spoiled. Mouldy, wet grain clumps and so large air pockets can form as it is being unloaded. An air pocket can form just below the surface creating a ‘grain bridge’ that can collapse at any time. Communication is key, she added. “Whether it is shift work with an extended team of farmhands or a few family members, make the plan work for safety. With all the potential hazards during fall work, it takes some discussion and planning to ensure everyone is on the same path to a safe and bountiful harvest.”

Talk about safety before firing up the auger this harvest season. PHOTO: Canadian Agricultural Safety Association

Over-theborder canola crusher gets new owner Staff

A major canola crush plant facing an uncertain future has a new owner in one of the country’s top agribusinesses. U.S. farmer co-op CHS Inc. completed a deal last month to buy Northstar Agri Industries at Hallock, Minn., about 40 kilometres southeast of Emerson, Man. The Northstar plant, which has capacity to process over 360,000 tonnes of canola per year into canola oil and meal, had been majority owned by Californiabased Pico Holdings. CHS paid $127 million for the Northstar operation, minus an “estimated target working capital adjustment” and repayment of about $75 million in debt connected to the Northstar assets, for estimated net gain to Pico of about $30 million (all figures US$). The deal “expands our oilseedprocessing platform to include canola in addition to soybeans, adds to CHS presence in Canada (and) expands CHS oil product offerings to global food companies,” said Tom Malecha, CHS’s vice-president for processing and food ingredients. Owning Northstar, he said, also links growers buying canola seed from CHS-owned retail outlets into an “integrated supply chain.” Set up in 2012, Northstar was billed as Minnesota’s first canola-processing plant with an integrated refinery. The sale to St. Paul-based CHS follows Pico’s announcement in March that it would review its options for monetizing its investment in the Northstar business. “We believe we have created significant value at Northstar,” Pico CEO John Hart said at the time, but the company also found Northstar “may have a higher valuation in the hands of a strategic buyer than as part of a diversified holding company.”

Trust Pioneer® brand corn hybrids for the earliest maturity available, integrated refuge insect control with Optimum® AcreMax® technology and the highest yield potential for your fields. Talk to your local Pioneer Hi-Bred sales representative today or find us at www.pioneer.com and on Twitter @PioneerWCanada.

P7005AM™

2000 heat units

P7202AM™

2050 heat units

Early MATURING

corn hybrids ARE HERE Pioneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. Roundup Ready®, YieldGuard and the YieldGuard Corn Borer design are registered trademarks used under license from Monsanto Company. Liberty Link® and the Water Droplet Design are trademarks of Bayer. Herculex® I insect protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred. Herculex® and the HX logo are trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC. ® SM TM , , Trademarks and service marks of DuPont Pioneer or their respective owners. © 2015, PHII.

1044 Pioneer CORN ad_EarlyMaturity_ABFarmExp.indd 1

8/19/15 1:42 PM

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Study says irrigation delivers big dollars to provincial economy Study also finds irrigated crop and livestock production have created 38,000 direct jobs and another 17,000 ones in food processing Alberta Agriculture and Forestry release

very cubic metre of water delivered for irrigation creates $3 to the province’s GDP and $2 in labour income. This is one of the key conclusions in a study funded by the Canada-Alberta Growing Forward 2 program and commissioned by the Alberta Irrigation Projects Association (AIPA). The study also shows that for every dollar of irrigationrelated crop, livestock and food-processing sales, total GDP increased by $2.54 and labour income increased by $1.64. Overall irrigation contributes $3.6 billion each year to the province’s GDP averaging — an average of $2,550 per acre of land irrigated. “We have known that irrigation is the lifeblood of many communities in southern Alberta but we wanted to be able to quantify our overall economic impact in Alberta,” said AIPA chair Erwin Braun. Other key conclusions in the study undertaken by Paterson Earth and Water Consulting from Lethbridge include: • The irrigation agri-food sector contributes about 20 per cent of the total provincial agri-food sector GDP on 4.7 per cent of the province’s cultivated land base. • Almost 90 per cent of the GDP generated by irrigation accrues to the region and the province and 10 per cent to irrigation producers. • Using labour income as the criteria, 89 per cent of the irrigation-related benefits accrue to the region and province, and 11 per cent to irrigation producers. • Because of the growth of irrigation in southern Alberta, irrigated crop and livestock production has resulted in 38,000 jobs and food processing has created another 17,000 full-time equivalent positions. • B e n e f i t s f r o m i r r i g a t i o n water and infrastructure used for non-irrigation purposes, such as recreation, hydropower generation, and drought mitigation, generated an additional $85 million to the provincial GDP and $71 million in labour income. “We also wanted to know the industry’s economic challenges for the future,” Braun said. “And what the study shows is that there is a clear need for governments to work with industry to plan for potential impacts of climate change on agriculture, both positive and negative.” The study calls for long-term water and drought management strategies, including increasing Alberta’s water storage capacity and better communication with international markets about the environmental and economic sustainability of Alberta’s irrigation agri-food production and new food production opportunities to meet growing worldwide demand.

A new study says the economic impact of irrigation ripples across the province. PHOTOs: Alberta Irrigation Projects Association

READY FOR ANYTHING

ALWAYS FOLLOW GRAIN MARKETING AND ALL OTHER STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES AND PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Details of these requirements can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers printed in this publication. ©2015 Monsanto Canada, Inc.

Albertafarmexpress.ca • august 31, 2015

Briefs Province creates online listings for alternative feed In response to numerous calls to the Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s AgInfo Centre about options for alternative use of crops, a new category has been created under hay and pasture listings on the department’s web page. “Called Standing Annual Crop, the new category gives producers the option to list their crops for alternative uses so they can be salvaged for muchneeded livestock feed this year,” said Ted Nibourg, farm business management specialist. “The alternative uses can include grazing, greenfeed or silage. This year’s dry conditions in parts of the province, along with recent hailstorms, have resulted in crops either failing to make it to the bin or having such a wide range of maturity that it is virtually impossible to make grade.” The Standing Annual Crop listing can be found under the General Store heading at www.agriculture.alberta.ca and then clicking on Alberta Hay and Pasture Directory. “You can either list your crop using the online method by clicking on the

Post Listing tab or calling the Ag-Info Centre at 310-FARM (3276),” said Nibourg. “Be sure to check our guidelines link found on the main Hay, Straw and Pasture Listings page before submitting your post. Resource agents at the Ag-Info Centre can assist you in submitting your listing in the proper format.”— Alberta Agriculture and Forestry release

New fact sheet on concrete liners for manure storage Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has a new fact sheet to provide guidance on the use of non-engineered concrete liners used for manure collection and storage areas. “Concrete is a practical, cost-effective, and long-lasting material to use as a liner for manure collection and storage areas at confined feeding operations,” said extension specialist Deanne Madsen. “This technical guideline describes specifications for concrete liners that can be used to satisfy the requirements of the Agricultural Operation Practices Act and its regulations.”

The Non-Engineered Concrete Liners for Manure Collection/Storage Areas fact sheet is available at www.agriculture. alberta.ca (type ‘concrete liners’), by calling 780-427-0391 or by emailing publications.office@gov.ab.ca. — AAF release

College farm completes EFP Lakeland College is the first postsecondary institution in Alberta to complete an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). From January to April, about 50 second-year students in animal science technology, crop technology, and other programs worked together to complete the EFP on the college’s student-managed farm at the Vermilion campus. The experience enabled the students to see what best management practices were in place on their farm and where they could make improvements to avoid potential environmental risks. The farm has five different units for crops, commercial beef, purebred beef, dairy, and sheep. — Lakeland College release

There’s no way to know what Mother Nature is going to throw at you, but there is a way to be ready for it. With built-in technology that helps you tackle tough weeds in tough conditions, Genuity® Roundup Ready® canola can be the most valuable tool in your field. It’s the foundation for a family of high-yielding canola hybrids that offer diverse disease resistance and enable progressive farming practices such as straight cutting. You can’t anticipate everything, but you can prepare for anything. Get ready for next season; talk to your retailer about booking Genuity Roundup Ready canola for 2016.

U.S. cropland cash rents fall with farmer incomes Chicago/ Reuters

Cash rents for some of the most fertile farmland in the U.S. fell in the second quarter and are likely to decline again between July and September, according to a recent survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The quarterly report, which covers the northern delta and southern Midwest region, added that incomes for farmers continued to fall in the April to June period and further decreases are likely in the third quarter. The rural economy has been hit by recent bumper harvests that have pushed grain prices to the lowest level in five years, and by a strong dollar that has hurt exports. As a result, farmers have cut back the amount they are willing to spend on their businesses. “Our trade area is primarily cash grain, and the lower grain prices will have a negative impact on farm income, prompting producers to reduce spending for both business and household,” the report cited an Illinois lender as saying. Cash rents fell 6.4 per cent for quality farmland in the second quarter of 2015 — the largest drop since the survey started in the third quarter of 2012. A “slight majority” of bankers expects them to decline again in the next three months, the report said. Those results are in contrast to figures earlier this month from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) showing cash rents in the Corn Belt were steady to lower from a year earlier and had edged up on average across the country. The USDA has predicted overall farm income will drop by a third this year to $73.6 billion, its lowest level since 2009.

Tyson closes Iowa beef plant due to cattle shortage Tyson Foods has closed its beef plant in Denison, Iowa because of shrunken herds following the severe Midwestern drought. Such closures are becoming more common since fewer cattle are available for slaughter due to several years of drought. “The cattle supply is tight and there’s an excess of beef production capacity in the region,” said Steve Stouffer, president of Tyson Fresh Meats. The plant, which employed 400 people, had a slaughter capacity of about 2,000 head of cattle over a five-day work week, which represents two per cent of U.S. steer and heifer slaughter capacity, according to industry experts. It was Tyson’s smallest slaughter facility. Animals that will no longer be processed at the plant likely will be transferred to Tyson’s nearby locations, including the newly expanded facility in Dakota City, Nebraska. That plant has an estimated daily kill capacity of 6,000 head — Reuters

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Perennial grain crops are one step closer The goal is to find ways to grow food that will reduce the need for fertilizers, herbicides, and annual seed purchase BY LORRAINE STEVENSON staff / carman, man.

eed it once, then sell everything except the combine and just keep harvesting year after year. It might not work out quite that way, but a perennial grain crop that can withstand cold Prairie winters is a little closer to reality for Canadian farmers. University of Manitoba perennial crop breeder Doug Cattani has been at work since 2010 at the Ian N. Morrison Research Farm here, overseeing plots of intermediate wheatgrass, wild sunflowers, perennial cereal ryegrass, and an assortment of other native plants. He says intermediate wheatgrass is now showing the most promise for earliest commercial availability. All the crops Cattani is studying share the common trait of being perennial relatives of key food crops. But as he’s made his crosses and selections these past four years, it’s become clear some are worth pursuing and some not. For example, the program for perennial cereal ryegrass is basically on the shelf now. The disease problems they discovered are more than their time and resources can accommodate. “The wide cross that we made to generate the materials led to excessive ergot,” Cattani said. “It became something that would require a lot more work than we are currently able to put in.” On the other hand, his now completed selections of intermediate wheatgrass material not only have shown they can survive three successive Prairie winters, but produce consistent grain yields. These new materials are hardier, have larger seeds, and are more productive for longer periods than the forage varieties of

Crop breeder Doug Cattani is working with a variety of potential perennial crops but says intermediate wheatgrass right now looks the most promising. PHOTO: LORRAINE STEVENSON wheatgrass currently familiar to farmers, Cattani said. The seed is about one-third the size of wheat but has nearly twice the amount of protein. “We’ve got a long way to go on the agronomics but I think we know now that we have a product that is adapted to Manitoba and hopefully Western Canada,” he said. If they can develop the wheatgrass into a perennial crop, it would break new ground for food production.

Reduced inputs

Breeding for perennial ability is like what primitive farmers did when selecting seed for food production, said Cattani. The

goal today is to find ways to grow food that will reduce the need for fertilizers, herbicides, and annual seed purchase. The environmental benefits of perennial grain crops are many and varied, said Cattani, noting they essentially serve as native grasslands once did, soaking up excess water, reducing erosion, and building soil organic matter. At the Carman site, researchers are also experimenting with polycultures to see what’s doable for growing two or more crops at once. They’re inter-seeding with legumes including sweet and white clover and alfalfa, plus a native prairie turnip to find ways to supply nitrogen to these crops. Other ongoing research

AFSC is Alberta’s Farm Lender

We have the financial solutions to help you grow your business.

Agriculture Financial Services Corporation Farm Loans Offer: • Loans up to 5 million dollars • Competitive long term interest rates • Beginning Farmer Incentive - Reduced rates • No early payment penalty

www.AFSC.ca • 1-877-899-AFSC (2372)

by a graduate student is looking at the impact of animal grazing on regrowth after harvests. There are good reasons to focus on intermediate wheatgrass, said Cattani. Farmers are already familiar with it as a forage crop, and that adds to its potential for commercial viability sooner than other crops. “Our forage seed industry has produced intermediate wheatgrass in the past and we do have some seed companies that understand its growth and harvesting,” he said. “We’re not completely in the dark on this.” Manitoba farmers are already growing intermediate wheatgrass as a forage seed crop and getting 14 to 15 bushels per acre. What their work is showing now is that as a perennial grain crop they’ll be able to produce seed beyond one year, he said. “We want this to be a perennial grain, we don’t want it to be a hay crop, that is, getting one good seed harvest and then it’s basically a hayfield. We’re trying to avoid that.” It doesn’t have the gluten properties of wheat, so it won’t be a wheat replacement, he added. “As I foresee it being released, it’ll be a product that can be consumed by humans, but maybe blended with wheat in a number of applications.” Researchers hope to have enough seed to proceed to agronomic trials by next year, Cattani said. In other words, they’ve reached a stage where he can say he’s “a little more optimistic” about the time frame it’ll take to have a viable crop to grow. But this is still very early days. “Optimistically, I’d say we’re still looking at 15 to 20 years down the road.” lorraine @fbcpublishing.com

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

It’s the

kind of canola

The Cargill logo, ®VICTORY and ®VICTORY Hybrid Canola logo are registered trademarks of Cargill Incorporated, used under license. Genuity,® Genuity and Design,® Genuity Icons, Roundup Ready,® and Roundup® are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC, used under license. Always follow grain marketing and all other stewardship practices and pesticide label directions. Details of these requirements can be found in the Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers printed in this publication. ©2015 Cargill, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

182-225 AD 10_25 x 15_5 v100.indd 1

www.victorycanola.com www.cargillag.ca

8/6/15 11:13 AM

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

making hay bales

Scientists call for a ‘pullback’ on the use of glyphosate An opinion piece by a pediatrician and soil scientist argues it’s time to ‘reconsider all aspects of the safety of plant biotechnology’ By Carey Gillam reuters

With temperatures up around 30°, farmers west of Okotoks, Alta., are taking advantage of the heat and getting their fields cut and baled. It has been a season of drought in many parts, with low yields, but producers have also had to dodge hail and tornadoes. Photo: Wendy Dudley

PROVEN BY EXPERTS And by experts we mean farmers Proven® Seed is the total, all-around package for canola growers. It’s new genetics — proven by 25 years of groundbreaking research and hybrids with superior agronomics. And with our Proven Performance Trials, growers have access to over 100 canola trials where it counts — on large-scale, producermanaged fields. Like yours. Now that’s what we call proven.

U.S. regulators have relied on flawed and outdated research to allow expanded use of glyphosate, and new assessments should be urgently conducted, according to an opinion piece published in the New England Journal of Medicine. There are two key factors that necessitate regulatory action to protect human health, according to the column — a sharp increase in herbicide-tolerant crops and and a recent World Health Organization (WHO) determination that glyphosate is probably a human carcinogen. The opinion piece was written by Dr. Philip Landrigan, a Harvard-educated pediatrician and epidemiologist who is dean for global health at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, and Chuck Benbrook, an adjunct professor at Washington State University’s crops and soil science department. “There is growing evidence that glyphosate is geno-toxic and has adverse effects on cells in a number of different ways,” Benbrook said. “It’s time to pull back... on uses of glyphosate that we know are leading to significant human exposures while the science gets sorted out.” The column argues that GM foods and herbicides applied to them “may pose hazards to human health” not previously assessed. “We believe that the time has therefore come to thoroughly reconsider all aspects of the safety of plant biotechnology,” the column states. The authors also argue that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has erred in recently approving a new herbicide that uses glyphosate because it relied on outdated studies commissioned by the manufacturers and gave little consideration to potential health effects in children. The WHO’s cancer research unit after reviewing years of scientific research from different countries on March 20 classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” But regulators and agrichemical companies in the United States and other countries still consider glyphosate among the safest herbicides in use. In July, Monsanto said it had arranged for an outside scientific review of the WHO finding.

LOOKING FOR EQUIPMENT?

TRY Proven® Seed is a registered trademark of Crop Production Services (Canada) Inc. CPS CROP PRODUCTION SERVICES and Design is a registered trademark of Crop Production Services, Inc. 08/15-44648-A AFE SCAN TO DOWNLOAD THE APP »»

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Groundwater pumping has San Joaquin Valley sinking Some areas sinking by nearly two inches per month because of excessive pumping from aquifers Reuters

arts of the San Joaquin Valley in Central California are sinking faster than ever due to excessive groundwater pumping as the state deals with a devastating drought, according to a new NASA report. Some areas are experiencing nearly two inches of sinking per month, a trend that could damage infrastructure such as bridges, roads and aqueducts, the California Department of Water Resources said in a statement about the report. The department said longterm sinking has already destroyed thousands of private and public groundwater well casings in the valley, adding that over time more sinking could permanently reduce how much water can be stored in the underground aquifer. “Groundwater acts as a savings account to provide supplies during drought, but the NASA report shows the consequences of excessive withdrawals as we head into the fifth year of historic drought,” said state water resources director Mark Cowin. “Because of increased pumping, groundwater levels are

reaching record lows — up to 100 feet lower than previous records.” Land sinking, also known as subsidence, has happened in the state for decades due to groundwater pumping during drought conditions, but NASA’s report showed that the sinking is occurring faster now. The statement said Governor Jerry Brown’s drought task force will work with communities on how to slow the sinking rate and deal with risks to infrastructure. The department also said it will launch a $10-million program to bolster conservation. The department said that program would be funded through the $7.5 billion water bond passed by state voters last November, which was the most significant statewide investment in water supply infrastructure in decades. The department said it would also conduct a system-wide evaluation of subsidence along the California Aqueduct after finding areas in several Central California counties had sunk more than 1.25 feet in two years. The data for NASA’s report, which was prepared for the department, was based on satellite imagery showing changes to the Earth’s surface over time.

photo: Canadian Space Agency

great farm service is never far away. At OK Tire, we know there’s more to life than your fields. That’s why we service what we sell, and offer a full range of tires for tractors, combines, wagons, implements, even ATV’s. We keep you moving, leaving you more time to enjoy the other important parts of your life. For the latest specials, visit your local OK Tire or oktire.com

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

AS FEATURED ON 2009 JOHN DEERE 4830 SPRAYER

2009 GLEANER A86 COMBINE

688903

571120

183,000

189,900

2088hrs, 1000 Gallon SS Tank, 320/90R50, 100 FT Boom

2WD, 902hrs, 429 HP, Diesel, good condition, 902 sep hrs.

Northstar

Drummond’s Farm Services Ltd.

OAK BLUFF, MB

204-832-0086

2013 NEW HOLLAND T9-615

265,000

1000hrs, excellent condition, IMMACULATE CONDITION

HOLLAND, MB

2013 NEW HOLLAND CR9090-DEMO

403-504-1111

2011 MASSEY FERGUSON 9895

375,000

CLARESHOLM, AB

403-625-3321

2013 FARM KING 1360 GRAIN CART

693150

285,000

2WD, 573hrs, 4200 Pickup Header, Swathmaster STONY PLAIN, AB

800-290-5489

65,000

TABER, AB

403-223-0502

2002 PENTA 5600 LO PROFILE

720339

114hrs, Demo Unit, 571 Max HP, 114 hrs, GPS, Deluxe Chopper, Air Comp

MEDICINE HAT , AB

711007

4WD - On Demand, 100 HP, excellent condition

877-526-2740

699039

LS TRACTOR P7040

691971

15,000

18 cubic meter, hydr. wedges, recent replaced knifes on auger HARLEY, ON

519-863-5719

2013 JOHN DEERE S690 COMBINE

720219

61,875

1360 bushels, 1000 PTO, 520/85R38 duals, 22” auger, scales, new warranty DEWBERRY, AB

888-440-3974

681458

344,995

675hrs, Axle: 2WD; Chopper/Spreader: Chopper; Combine Type: Small Grain KILLAM, AB

780-385-3993

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

BETTER START. BETTER HARVEST. When you plant Pioneer® brand canola treated with DuPont™ Lumiderm™ insecticide seed treatment you’ll see the early benefits of cutworm protection and enhanced flea beetle activity. Lumiderm™ helps get your crop off to a better start. And a better start means a better harvest. Talk to your local Pioneer Hi-Bred sales representative today to add Lumiderm™ to your 2016 canola seed order.

DuPont Lumiderm ™

™

insecticide seed treatment

Pioneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. ® SM TM , , trademarks and service marks of DuPont Pioneer or their respective owners. © 2015, PHII. As with all crop protection products, read and follow label instructions carefully. Member of CropLife Canada.

@PioneerWCanada

1196 Pioneer Lumiderm ad_BETTER_AlbFarmEx.indd 1

8/19/15 9:21 AM

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

Study finds neonics in U.S. waterways

U.S. farm income plunges

Neonicotinoids pesticides have been found in more than half of streams sampled across the U.S. The U.S. Geological Survey took 149 samples from 48 streams in 24 states and at least one type of neonics was detected in 63 per cent of the samples. “Neonicotinoids occurred throughout the year in urban streams while pulses of neonicotinoids were typical in agricultural streams during crop-planting season,” said research chemist Michelle Hladik, the report’s lead author. The study comes as Washington considers a proposed rule that would create temporary pesticide-free zones to protect commercial honeybees. — Reuters

The U.S. farm economy faces more pressure this quarter from low grain prices and stubbornly high costs, with incomes down across much of the country’s most important cropland, quarterly reports from Federal Reserve banks show. Second-quarter surveys by the Federal Reserve banks of Kansas City and St. Louis also suggested the value of cropland would decline further in the third quarter. But ranchland values have increased thanks to high cattle prices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has forecast overall farm income will drop by a third this year to $73.6 billion, its lowest since 2009. — Reuters

HEARTLAND Grain commission tightens

producer car rules for 2015-16 The Canadian Grain Commission will now ask the terminal operator for confirmation that the car will be accepted BY ALLAN DAWSON Staff

hanges to make producer car use fairer and more efficient took effect Aug. 1. Now farmers shipping producer cars, or administrators ordering producer cars for farmers, are restricted to twice the number of cars a siding can spot. For example, a farmer can apply for eight producer cars at a four-car spot. After that the next farmer in the producer car queue can get cars delivered to that site. “It allows a bit more fair access,” said Garth Steidel, producer car officer with the Canadian Grain Commission. Under the Canada Grain Act western Canadian farmers can order rail cars to ship their own grain, bypassing elevators and saving on handling fees. Producer car orders are allocated on a first-in, first-out basis, but there have been times when a farmer or administrator will monopolize a rail siding, Steidel said. The grain commission, which oversees producer car applications, is also tightening up and clarifying producer car rules, added Catherine Jaworski, the commission’s manager of producer protection. “When the marketing system for wheat and barley was changed (on Aug. 1, 2012) we had this huge influx of new companies (buying grain via producer car) and there was a lot of confusion around the rules so we thought we’d better do a major review from A to Z of producer cars and that’s where we came up with some of these changes and clarifications.” Wheat board grain made up most producer car shipments until its sales monopoly ended. Now instead of getting a wheat board identification number when a producer car is ordered, the grain commission generates one. Since the end of the monopoly the commission has also required producer car shippers confirm they have a sale for the grain being shipped. But now it will also seek “destination autho-

Some new rules for producer cars were introduced by the Canadian Grain Commission Aug. 1. FILE PHOTO rization,” by asking the terminal operator if it will receive the producer car a farmer is ordering. “If they say, ‘no,’ we cancel the cars outright when we do the application process,” Steidel said. “They (farmers) have to confirm their sale to us and then we go from there,” Jaworski said. “This way is making sure the right grain is moving, at the right time, to the right destination and we’re getting it right. Terminals have handling agreements. They don’t want stuff showing up there willy-nilly.” The grain commission is also requesting producer car shippers supply an email address so it can contact the shipper to confirm the grain has a sale. “We want to verify it is a true order and they have a confirmed sale and it’s not a phantom order,” Steidel said.

“It allows a bit more fair access.” Garth Steidel

Cleaning up backlog

Last year, the grain commission found some farmers no longer wanted their producer car by the time it was to be delivered. As a result, it cancelled around 1,000 orders, Steidel said. “Part of that problem was coming off 2013-14 we carried over a number of (producer car) applications because we couldn’t get those cars allocated by the railways (sooner),” Jaworski said. “We had a huge carry-

over so it was really hard to get a true sense of what the demand was. We needed to clean it up.” In the 2014-15 crop year that ended July 31, the commission received 17,308 producer car orders and allocated 12,005 cars. Since producer cars are ordered by farmers, or by administrators on their behalf, the farmer has to cancel the order if he or she no longer wants a car. There have been times when farmers cancelled cars, but administrators demanded the farmer deliver the car because the grain to be delivered was under contract, Jaworski said. “So we wanted to make it very clear that we cancel cars when producers tell us because that’s who we are ordering those cars from the railways for,” she said. “Out of courtesy we tell the administrators.”

The grain commission now also requires a shipping report so it will know if a car was loaded and unloaded. It used to get that information until the commission stopped mandatory inward inspection at terminal elevators. Producer car shippers will also get more flexibility in picking which cars get spotted, when their producer car orders exceed the number of cars that can be spotted. Although the 12,005 producer cars allocated in 2014-15 was up from the 10,000 allocated the year previous, it was still below the modern record of 14,341 set in 2012-13 — the final year of the wheat board’s single sales desk. The most producer cars allocated ever was 51,000 in 191213, before elevator numbers peaked in Western Canada. allan@fbcpublishing.com

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

U.S. producers go hog wild — and pork prices plunge Hog futures have plunged by nearly half in the past year, and the price drop isn’t over yet By Karl Plume and Theopolis Waters Reuters / Chicago

wo years after a devastating swine virus killed nearly 10 per cent of U.S. hogs, farmers who built up herds to compensate are faced with a sober realization: they’ve produced too much bacon. The aggressive ramp-up in hog production after the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) outbreak in 2013, which brought record profits for those whose pigs survived, has now created the greatest U.S. hog price collapse since the late 1990s. That was when overproduction sent prices plunging 75 per cent to 50-year lows.

Benchmark lean hog futures prices on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange have dropped 42 per cent from their July 2014 record high of $133 per hundredweight (cwt). And as herds continue to grow, and the strong dollar and competition from Canada and Europe blunt export demand, hog farmers are probably facing even lower prices in the months ahead, with December-delivery futures trading about 20 per cent below current prices. The hog glut spells more trouble for a U.S. farm economy already struggling with the lowest grain prices in five years. La Mars, Iowa-based Tentinger Farms, which sells hogs to Tyson Foods, expanded its herd by about 20 per cent to cash in on high hog

prices and cheap feed costs, but record returns have eroded. “Things are not real rosy out here. We’re spending a lot of money and touching a lot of bases, handling and feeding more pigs, and not really making any money,” owner Bill Tentinger said. “Once we get past 2016, I think things are going to perk up a little bit... but it’s not going to be gangbusters rolling ahead.” With retail prices now at threeyear lows, pork is stealing market share from other proteins: U.S. pork sales in June were up 12.5 per cent over the previous month, while chicken rose three per cent and beef fell 2.2 per cent, according to the most recent industry data.

The number of piglets per litter hit a record high of around 10 in the spring, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, helped by steadily improving use of genetics and selective breeding. These animals take around six months to make their way to the meat case. And when cooler autumn weather arrives and sweet, freshly harvested corn begins filling feed troughs, reviving pig appetites, weights should climb back up to pre-summer levels.

More pigs coming

The boom started when farmers who had lost millions of pigs to PEDv took advantage of cheap feed to plump up their hogs. Meat processors such as Cargill and

Harvest Promotion Until October 31st, save with instant rebates on products from Goodyear, Titan, Trelleborg and Alliance.

Smithfield Foods Inc. were paying premiums for the extra weight. As vaccines and strict biosecurity measures brought the virus under control, hog numbers exploded. Some hog producers are still expanding as they reinvest last year’s record profits. Construction permit applications for new and expanded swine buildings in Iowa, the top producing state where hogs outnumber people more than six to one, had nearly reached the 2014 total by mid2015, according to state data. Tyson Foods CEO Donnie Smith said in a recent conference call with analysts that he expects the domestic expansion to continue into 2016 resulting in three to four per cent more hogs and pork on the domestic market. The stuffed supply chain has prompted some U.S. grocers and fast-food franchises to promote pork. Midwest supermarket operator Roundy’s has offers including 38 per cent off pork tenderloin at Mariano’s stores and a third off packages of bacon at its Pick ’n Save locations. “Roundy’s has been taking advantage of deals on pork and we have been promoting it more in the past few months, and it will continue,” said spokesman James Hyland. Retail advertisements featuring pork offers from grocery stores jumped 16 per cent in June over a year ago, the National Pork Board says. Billboards in U.S. cities splash Burger King’s “Extra Long Pulled Pork” sandwich and Wendy’s Baconator fries.

Weathering downturn

But in the country that claims to have invented the ground beef hamburger and produced McDonald’s, pork demand will remain largely tied to price, experts say. “It’s hard to say if pork can retain that market share. It’s very much price driven in all three commodities — pork, beef and chicken,” said William Slabaugh, research analyst at Stephens Inc., an independent financial services company. An expanding cattle herd is expected to bring down beef prices, but whether prices fall enough to recapture lost market share may hinge on hard-to-forecast elements such as grazing pasture conditions and grain costs. There is some impact from health concerns or diet fads that has seen beef in particular losing out to chicken — but a lot of that may have already played out. Annual beef consumption has steadily fallen to around 54-55 pounds per capita now from 67.5 pounds in 2000 while chicken consumption climbed 18 per cent to 91.4 pounds per person, according to USDA data. In contrast, people have been eating around 50 pounds of pork per year throughout the period. “People started eating more chicken as of 15 years ago... But in general, the trends don’t change a ton. It’s more what gets pushed is what’s cheaper,” Slabaugh said. For now at least, low prices are likely to boost demand for bacon, pork and sausages into the autumn. “Anybody who wants to cook pork at home is going to have a great summer,” said Will Sawyer, an analyst with Rabobank.

100 Rebate

Instant Rebates on selected Farm Tires

radial rear farm tires, 38” or larger

75 Rebate

radial rear farm tires, 26”-36”

50 Rebate

bias rear farm tires, 26” or larger

Offer valid from August 15 - October 31 2015 at participating Fountain Tire retailers. No cash surrender value. No change will be provided. One coupon per transaction. Not for payment on account. Cannot be combined with any other offer. See in-store for details. ®™ Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Inc. and Goodyear Canada Inc. Fountain Tire is licensed by AMVIC in Alberta.

Visit www.fountaintire.com for the location nearest you! FTN_2015Harvest_ABFarmerExpress.indd 1

15-08-19 11:30 AM

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

NEW HOLLAND 1020

NEW RB560 SPECIALTY CROP BALERS

Duravee rake, 2015

New twine wrap 1000 PTO

CALL FOR PRICING

CALL

NEW HOLLAND T7-210

NEW HOLLAND POWERSTAR T4.76

2015 NEW HOLLAND L225

CALL FOR SPECIAL PRICING

NEW HOLLAND 1431 DISCBINE

WILPAC 16’ LANDROLLER

NEW HOLLAND BOOMER 3045 CVT

2015, full power shift, 3pt hitch, c/w 855 New Holland TL loader, bucket, grapple.

2004, 13’ hydra-swing

19,500

2015, 75hp, 4WD front end loader, bucket, cab air

2015, w/transports

19,500

NEW BUHLER 2450 BALE MOVERS Hauls 14 big round!

Heater, air, 2 speed.

2010, cab, air, 3pt super steer, 162 hrs

28,875

NEW HOLLAND HAYBINE 499 2000, 12’ hydra-swing, double knife drive

6,900

CASE RBX 562 ROUND BALER Bale command, new belts, rebuilt pick-up

12,000

CASE RBX 562 2005, round baler

11,000

QUALITY USED HAYING EQUIP. FIELD READY CASH PRICES 2015 NEW HOLLAND L220, HEATER, AIR, 2 SPEED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CALL FOR SPECIAL PRICING 2012 CASE DC162 DISCBINE, 15.7 HYDRO SWING, 1000 PTO, AS NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $27,900 2011 FP240 HARVESTER, COMING IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $40,000 NEW BOOMER WORK MASTERS TRACTORS IN STOCK! 35-47 HP, HYDRO, LOADERS AND MORE! *For commercial use only. Offer subject to credit qualification and approval by CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. See your New Holland dealer for details and eligibility requirements. CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. standard terms and conditions will apply. Depending on model, a down payment may be required. Offer good through August 31, 2015, at participating New Holland dealers in Canada. Offer subject to change. Taxes, freight, set-up, delivery, additional options or attachments not included in price. © 2015 CNH Industrial Capital America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland Agriculture is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. CNH Industrial Capital and New Holland Construction are trademarks in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates.

5410 - 43 ST. Rimbey AB • Phone: 403.843.3700 • Fax: 403.843.3430

www.rimbeyimplements.ca

Al York

Cell: 403-783-0593 Home: 403-783-5317

nts.ca alyork@rimbeyimpleme

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Egg prices soar in U.S. in the wake of bird flu outbreak The USDA is revising its price estimates for eggs and turkeys as the slow rebuilding process gets underway Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc., which franchises the Dunkin’ Donuts chain and serves breakfast sandwiches with eggs, withdrew a “major promotion” for the third quarter because of tight supplies. A spokeswoman declined to provide details. Michael Foods, a unit of cereal maker Post Holdings Inc. that distributes egg products, has suspended production of some items, furloughed workers and raised prices several times.

By Tom Polansek Reuters

imited supplies of baby poultry and barn space to house them will hamper U.S. farmers’ efforts to rebuild ravaged egg supplies after the nation’s worst-ever outbreak of bird flu. As a result of the shortages and the loss of more than 48 million chickens and turkeys to the disease, egg prices will climb higher than previously expected this year and remain high through 2016, according to estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Frozen wholesale turkey prices are expected to be up to 19 per cent higher for the key Thanksgiving holiday than they were a year ago. Chicken and turkey producers say the egg and poultry industry faces up to two years of rebuilding to fully replace flocks. Almost two months have passed since the last case of flu was detected, and farmers whose flocks were wiped out are now cleaning their barns before bringing in new birds. But the USDA has yet to give the clearance that would allow any chicken sites in Iowa, the top egg-producing state, to bring in replacements. Some farms that raise egg-laying chickens are expected to start bringing in new chickens this fall, although sites that lost millions of birds will likely remain empty until the end of the year due to the long cleanup process. The USDA clears farms on a case-by-case basis after testing to make sure the virus has been eliminated.

All eyes on Iowa

The U.S. poultry sector faces two years of rebuilding following the nation’s worst-ever outbreak of bird flu. photo: Thinkstock And the rebuilding process could last even longer if the virus re-emerges this fall when wild ducks, which carry the disease, begin their seasonal migrations. Minnesota and Iowa turkey farms, infected before some of the chicken farms, have begun restocking thanks to a faster cleanup process. Unlike laying hens, turkeys are not kept in cages, but it won’t be quick enough to avert sticker shock come November’s holiday. Top U.S. turkey hatcher Willmar Poultry Co. has told customers it expects shortages of baby turkeys needed to restock barns, said Brad Moline, an Iowa farmer and representative of the National Turkey Federation. The USDA, in a monthly supply-and-demand report on Aug.

12, raised its estimate for wholesale frozen turkey prices in the fourth quarter to $1.28 to $1.36 per pound, up from an average of about $1.14 a year earlier. Grocers often discount turkeys during the holidays to drive traffic in stores. However, rising wholesale prices could still sting shoppers. “Some chains might not discount them quite as heavily,” USDA agricultural economist Dave Harvey said.

Promotion cancelled

Wholesale shell egg prices in the Midwest reached a record high of $2.88 a dozen in the first week of August, more than double the price a year earlier, according to commodities firm Urner Barry. More Americans are eating break-

NO W

un til Au gu st 31 ,2 01 5

fast out, putting further upward pressure on prices. The USDA, which uses New York wholesale egg prices as a benchmark, has raised its forecast for 2015 and 2016, citing the tight supplies. In the fourth quarter of this year, the USDA sees New York wholesale egg prices averaging $2.38 to $2.52 a dozen, up about a third from its July estimate of $1.79 to $1.91. It predicts prices next year will average $1.64 to $1.78 a dozen, up about 20 per cent from its July estimate, and still above the record average high recorded in 2014 of about $1.42. Poultry breeders and hatcheries like Hy-Line International, the world’s largest seller of baby chicks that grow into egg-laying hens, are already overwhelmed with orders for replacement birds from farmers desperate to resume production, according to customers. “Every egg that is out there is spoken for, as far as hatching eggs,” said Steve Welch, Iowabased sales representative for Centurion Poultry, which hatches Hy-Line eggs and delivers the chicks to egg producers.

Iowa-based Hy-Line, owned by Germany’s EW Group, dominates up to 80 per cent of the market for selling the baby birds needed to replace chickens that died, according to industry members. Farmers with orders on the books for chicks this autumn are “hanging on to those orders in hopes that they can get approval” from the USDA to restock, said Tom Jorgensen, general counsel for Hy-Line. Farmers can cancel orders about a month ahead of delivery if they do not win approval, and Hy-Line can resell the birds. Large egg farms typically only replace a small portion of their egg-laying hens at a time as the birds grow older and produce fewer eggs. Now, farmers want more birds than usual all at once to restart their businesses after losing entire flocks to the flu. However, hatcheries cannot easily ramp up production without more breeding birds and incubators. “These are not widgets,” Chad Gregory, CEO of the trade group United Egg Producers, said about the birds. “You cannot just add another shift.” There is also limited barn space for raising chicks into young birds, known as pullets. Once the USDA begins clearing Iowa farms to restock chickens, orders for replacement birds will pile up, Gregory said.

Trait Stewardship Responsibilities Notice to Farmers

Ready, set, harvest. When it’s time to go, UFA fuels the way.

Fuel your harvest with UFA and you could win one of three prizes. For every 2000L of ag-marked fuel purchased between July 27 and September 30, you’re automatically entered to win a bold new Ram 2500, a topped-up 11,000L Westeel double-wall fuel tank, or a 1620 Meridian smooth-wall bin. Visit UFA.com for complete contest details. UFA.com No purchase necessary. Prizes may not be exactly as shown. © 2015 UFA Co-operative Limited. All rights reserved. 08/15-44776-1 AFE

Monsanto Company is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Monsanto products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Monsanto’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. Commercialized products have been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides. Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for canola contains the active ingredients difenoconazole, metalaxyl (M and S isomers), fludioxonil and thiamethoxam. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for canola plus Vibrance® is a combination of two separate individually-registered products, which together contain the active ingredients difenoconazole, metalaxyl (M and S isomers), fludioxonil, thiamethoxam, and sedaxane. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for corn (fungicides and insecticide) is a combination of four separate individually-registered products, which together contain the active ingredients metalaxyl, trifloxystrobin, ipconazole, and clothianidin. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for corn (fungicides only) is a combination of three separate individually-registered products, which together contain the active ingredients metalaxyl, trifloxystrobin and ipconazole. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for corn with Poncho®/ VoTivo™ (fungicides, insecticide and nematicide) is a combination of five separate individually-registered products, which together contain the active ingredients metalaxyl, trifloxystrobin, ipconazole, clothianidin and Bacillus firmus strain I-1582. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for soybeans (fungicides and insecticide) is a combination of four separate individually registered products, which together contain the active ingredients fluxapyroxad, pyraclostrobin, metalaxyl and imidacloprid. Acceleron® seed treatment technology for soybeans (fungicides only) is a combination of three separate individually registered products, which together contain the active ingredients fluxapyroxad, pyraclostrobin and metalaxyl. Acceleron and Design®, Acceleron®, DEKALB and Design®, DEKALB®, Genuity and Design®, Genuity®, JumpStart®, RIB Complete and Design®, RIB Complete®, Roundup Ready 2 Technology and Design®, Roundup Ready 2 Yield®, Roundup Ready®, Roundup Transorb®, Roundup WeatherMAX®, Roundup®, SmartStax and Design®, SmartStax®, Transorb®, VT Double PRO®, and VT Triple PRO® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC, Used under license. Vibrance® and Fortenza® are registered trademarks of a Syngenta group company. LibertyLink® and the Water Droplet Design are trademarks of Bayer. Used under license. Herculex® is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Used under license. Poncho® and Votivo™ are trademarks of Bayer. Used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

Service Since 1 9 3 3

EBB’S

CLARK PIPKE

MIKE GOTTSELIG

TRAVIS GIEBELHAUS

MILES MACKOW

VEGREVILLE, AB

RANDY REICHEL

PETER D. POLISCHUK

LAMONT, AB

KEVIN MARTIN

MIKE SYMES

COLTON DRAVES

VERMILION, AB

1-877-632-6772 1-855-895-2189 1-888-853-5196

✵ THE BOSS IS AWAY SALE ✵ Stk # 6387-1

Stk # 8209-1

Stk # 5853-2

Stk # 6983-1

MF WR9740 ................. $85,000

NH CR 9080 ............... $199,900

NH CR960 .................... $82,500

Stk # 6697-1

Stk # 8652-1

Stk # 5735-1

BLOWOUT PRICE • Cash No Trade

NH CR9070 ................ $255,000 BLOWOUT PRICE • Cash No Trade

COMBINES

BLOWOUT PRICE • Cash No Trade

NH T9.435 .................. $299,000 BLOWOUT PRICE • Cash No Trade

NH TR96, 1989, 3698, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $16,500 NH TX66, 1997, 3423/2518, 14’ SW, long auger, chopper, lateral tilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35,900 NH TX66, 1997, 2700/2058, 14’ SW, long auger, chopper, lateral tilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $39,000 NH TR98, 1997, 3500/2500, 13’ SW, stone trap, chaff spreader, chopper, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $39,000 NH TX66, 1999, 3140/2427, P.U., chopper, chaff spreader . . . . . $32,500 JD 9770STS, 2009, 1623/994, 614 P.U., duals, long auger, chopper, GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $219,000 NH CR960, 2003, 1975/1405, 14’ SW, 900 Singles, 2 speed rotors, dlx Chop, moisture sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $92,000 NH CR960, 2003, 2191/1612, 14’ SW, 900 Singles, dlx chopper, moisture sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $119,000 NH CR970, 2004, 238/1767, 14 SW, Dlx Chopper, 900 Tires . . $125,000 NH CR970, 2004, 1885/1361, 14’SW, dlx cab, clx chopper, Y&M$125,000 NH CR970, 2005, 1835/1366, 14’, rake-up 900 Singles . . . . . $127,000 NH CR970, 2005, 1963/1420, 14’ rake up, 900 singles, long auger, Y&M, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $133,000 NH CR970, 2005, 2010/1488, 14 SW, 900 Singles, deluxe chopper, moisture sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $148,000 NH CR9070, 2009, 2280/1820, 16’SW, 900 singles, dlx chopper, diff lock, long auger, electric mirrors, LCTS . . . . . . . . . . $109,000 NH CR9070, 2009, 1545/1145, 14’ SW, 520 duals, full GPS, Redekop chopper, Michel’s Cover, diff lock, Elec Mirror, LCTS . . . $175,000 NH CR9070, 2008, 1306/907, 14’ SW, 900 Singles, long auger, Y&M, dlx chopper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $185,000 NH CR9080, 2009, 1162/822, 790CP, 900 singles, long auger, dlx chopper, diff lock, HID lights, GPS ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $226,000 NH CR9070, 2011, 904/723, 16’ SW, dlx chopper, 900 tires, long auger, diff lock, intellisteer ready, Y&M, SCTS . . . . . . . . . . . $249,000 NH CR9070, 2011, 940/618, 790CP, duals, GPS, diff lock, HID, Y&M, Michels cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $258,000 NH CR9090, 2011, 950/682, 14’ SW, dlx chopper, 900 tires, long auger, auto steer, leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $270,000 NH CR9070, 2011, 490/397, 16’,SW singles, diff lock, dlx chopper, electric mirrors, HID, long auger, auto steer . . . . . . . . . $275,000 NH CR9090, 2012, 893/686, 790CP, dlx cab, dlx chopper, full GPS, 900 tires, ASP, elec fold covers, leather seat, HID . . . . . . . . $289,000 NH CR9090Z, 2010, 841/636, 790CP, ASP, diff lock, NAVII, no Rec, HID, Elec cov, Opti Spread, duals,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $299,000 NH CR8090, 2013, 850/625, 790CP, 900 singles, DSP, diff lock, dlx chopper, HID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $305,000

MF 9435....................... $75,000 BLOWOUT PRICE • Cash No Trade

BLOWOUT PRICE • Cash No Trade

Stk # 6767-1

NH CR9080 ................ $195,000 BLOWOUT PRICE • Cash No Trade

NH CR8090, 2012, 757/542, 790CP, DSP, 900 singles, long auger, leather, dlx chopper, GPS ready, HID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $316,000 NH CR8090, 2012, 834/595, 790CP, Duals, diff lock, dlx chopper, HID, leather, DSP w/ kit, GPS complete, incab covers . . $328,000 NH CR8090, 2013, 452/352, 790CP DSP, duals, covers, HID, leather, deluxe chopper, GPS ready, twin pitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $366,000 NH CR9090, 2012, 427/284, 790CP, dual tires, Dlx Chopper, Diff Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $375,000 NH CR8090, 2014, 306/242, 790CP, 900 tires, full GPS, DSP, dlx chopper, HID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $385,000 NH CR8090, 2014, 290/236, 790CP, 900 tires, twin pitch, DSP, diff lock, GPS ready, Phase 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $385,000

CASE IH 4420 ............ $195,000 BLOWOUT PRICE • Cash No Trade

NH CX860, 2006, 2432/1928, 14’ SW, lateral tilt, blowers . . . . $133,000 NH CX8080, 2008, 2150/1699, 14’ SW, lateral tilt, blowers, LCTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $173,000 NH CX8080, 2008, 1200/853, 14’ rake up, diff locks, HID, singles, Dlx Chopper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $207,000 NH CX8080, 2014, 273/203, No pick-up, full GPS, dlx chopper, HID, cast drum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $350,000

SWATHERS NH HB30, 2005, , 30’, SK, Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,500 HB WS30, 2006, , 30’, DK, HCC reel, transoport, came off of JD 4895. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $16,000 MACDON 2930, , 3190, 25’, SK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $27,000 MF 220 Series II, 1998, 2500, 26’, SK, UII p/u reel, roto shears . $33,000 NH HW320, 2000, 2438, 30’, SK, guage wheels. . . . . . . . . . . . . $34,000 MF 220 Series II, 2000, 1820, 25’, Single Knife, Roto Shears. . . $35,000 MACDON 4952i, 30’, DK, cross auger, hyd FA, turbo. . . . . . . . . . $69,000 NH HB30, 2012, , 30’, DK, UII reel, transport, came off of H8060 . $39,000 MACDON 9300, 1997, 2475, 30’ SK, Guage Wheels, Turbo, 2 Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $42,000 MACDON D60, 2008, , 30’, DK, trip del, transport, split 6 bat reel, poly cutterbar, swather header. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $44,000 MACDON 4952C, 2003, 2668, 25’, pick-up reel, swath roller, SK, 500/70R24 front tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $53,500 MACDON 4952i, 2004, 2855, 25’, pick-up reel, swath roller, SK, 19.5L-24 front tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $53,500 MACDON 4952C, 2003, 2810, 25’, pick-up reel, swath roller, DK, 500/70R24 front tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $53,500 MACDON 9352i, 2005, 1684, 30’, split reel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $65,000 MACDON 9352i, 2006, , 30ft, SK, gauge wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . $72,000 MF 9220, 2008, 360, 25’, SK, UII reel, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $69,000 MF 9435, 2009, 1340, 30’, SK, UII Reel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $82,500 MF 9430, 2010, 1200, 25’, p/u reel, elec F&A, guage wheels, SK $93,500 CASE WD1203, 2010, 380, 30’, DK, elec mirrors, cab & rear axle suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $99,000 CASE IH 8860, 199, 21’, DK, P.U. reel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $33,000 MACDON M150, 2009, 1343/1003, 30, sk, pick-up reel, transport, D60 s/n: 187220-09 (7186-2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $109,000 NH H8040, 2013, 400, 30’, DK, UII reel, 5 bat reel, skid shoes, hyd F&A, transport, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $119,500 MACDON M205, 2012, 900/695, 30’, DK, stabilizer wheels . . . $145,000 MACDON M205, 2012, 969/267, 30’, DK, stabilizer wheels . . . $145,000

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

Community news and events from across the province

Police rodeo is a wild and wacky affair BY GLENN CHEATER AF STAFF

onst. Sean LaBrie just laughs when it’s suggested the Calgary Police Rodeo is arguably the most amateur rodeo in existence. “That would be about right,” said LaBrie, the rodeo association’s vice-president. “It’s pretty strange. For 99 per cent of the guys who are participating, this is the only rodeo stuff they do all year. It’s the only agricultural animal-related thing they do all year.” That goes for the bull riders, bull doggers, and wild horse race participants at the 33-yearold event — only the barrel racers practise during the rest of the year, he said. “One of our bull riders is semiprofessional, but the rest are just guys who want to give it a go.” This year’s edition, held at the Airdrie rodeo grounds, attracted more than 100 participants in 11 events (all are police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, or corrections officers) and another 40 for the four children’s events. Most come back year after year, although LaBrie is one of the few who spends any time on horseback or dealing with livestock outside of the mid-August event. Although he grew up in Calgary, LaBrie and wife Holly, a thirdgeneration rancher, have been raising livestock near Olds for a decade. He participated in his first police rodeo four years ago and now qualifies as a veteran. “There are a few of us there who know how to do it and so we’ll coach you as you get on whatever animal and help you get through it.” Buckles are handed out, but fun and fundraising are the drivers. “It started with a group of about

The joke about this picture of Const. Keegan Metz on the rodeo’s Twitter feed was, “Some people pay big money for a mud treatment at the spa. Some just cowboy up!” PHOTOs: CONST. JEREMY SHAW

Take a rodeo grounds, add a steady overnight rain and a bunch of kids in the wild pony race and this is the result.

20 Calgary police officers, who I guess were interested in being tough cowboys, and a group of ranchers who invited them out to jump on some animals and have some fun,” said LaBrie. “It was never meant to be a fundraiser, but it kind of evolved and hooked up with the Missing Children Society. It’s a great way for us to give back to the community and it’s just grown and grown.” The rodeo annually raises $10,000 for the Missing Children Society of Canada, along with another $2,000 for a memorial fund that promotes workplace safety for emergency responders. And while it may seem incongruous to have rank amateurs on rank bulls and horses “that are not even green broke,” there’s a method to this madness.

“There is a lot of stress when you’re a first responder,” said LaBrie. “So to get away with a bunch of guys and girls and not even talk about anything even remotely related to emergency services is a lot of fun. We’re just talking about the mud and the good times. It’s a good distraction for the competitors and their families.” The event — which also has a petting zoo a nd numerous kids’ activities, and ends with a barn dance — typically draws a crowd of 800 to 1,200 people. A steady overnight rain saw attendance drop to around 500 this year, but those in the stands thought the conditions were perfect. “We’ve never had a mudbowl before, but the people watching

4-H Alberta needs help for 2017 centennial event

t’s a big celebration and 4-H Alberta is looking for help. The Western Regional Leaders’ Forum will be held in Edmonton on March 16-17, 2017, as part of 4-H Alberta’s centennial celebrations. “While this conference may seem a long ways away, it really isn’t,” said Fadeke Adegbuyi, 4-H communications and marketing assistant with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. The organization “is looking for enthusiastic individuals to help plan this three-day event,” she said. “2017 will mark the first time the conference has been held outside of the United States, and we intend to show attendees a fabulous time that will make their first trip to Canada for this conference a memorable one.”

The conference brings together 4-H leaders and staff from Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Nevada, California, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, and Alberta. The events committee is looking for people to chair several organizing committees. “The committee is interested in people who have, perhaps, attended a previous Western Regional Leaders’ Forum or a 4-H Alberta Leaders’ Conference, and who have a keen interest in getting involved in this event,” said Adegbuyi. For more information on what committees needs chair, and for an application form, go to www.4h.ab.ca. — 4-H Alberta release

There are a few of us there who know how to do it and so we’ll coach you as you get on whatever animal and help you get through it.” Const. Sean LaBrie

thought it was one of the best rodeos we’ve had because it was so much fun,” said LaBrie. “We had a memorial at the start to honour one of our directors who passed away last month and also for Edmonton police Const. Daniel Woodall (who was killed in the line of duty in June).

“But even with the sombre start, it was nothing but laughs and giggles for pretty much the whole rodeo.” More pictures and videos from this year and past rodeos can be found at www. calgarypolicerodeo.com and twitter.com/PoliceRodeoYYC.

what’s

up Send agriculture-related meeting and event announcements to: glenn.cheater@fbcpublishing.com Sept. 12: Explore Horticulture, Grande Prairie Provincial Building, Grande Prairie. Contact: Ag-Info Centre 1-800387-6030

Sept. 26: Explore Horticulture, Lethbridge Exhibition Park, Lethbridge. Contact: Ag-Info Centre 1-800-387-6030 Sept. 30: Facility Design Workshop, Evans Cattle Co., Airdrie. Contact: Cassandra Kirkpatrick 403-652-4900 Oct. 3: Ponoka Women’s Conference, Ponoka Community Centre, Ponoka. Contact: Lauraine Weir 403-783-3713

Sept. 12: 2015 Communities in Bloom Alberta Awards, Whitecourt Golf & Country Club , Whitecourt. Contact: Communities in Bloom Alberta 780-778-3637 ext. 421

Oct. 21-22: Natural Health Product and Functional Ingredients Industry conference, AITF Auditorium, Edmonton. Alberta Agriculture and Forestry 780-968-3513

Sept. 15: How to Put on a Farm-to-Table Culinary Event — Bus Tours for Producers, Sherwood Park. Contact: Ag-Info Centre 1-800-387-6030

Nov. 3: Cow-Calfenomics Series, Vermilion Regional Centre, Vermilion (also Nov. 4 in Westlock, Nov. 5 in Olds, and Nov. 6 in Lethbridge). Contact: Abby 780-422-1834

Sept. 19: Explore Horticulture workshop, Red Deer Recreation Centre, Red Deer (also Sept. 26 in Lethbridge). Contact: Ag-Info Centre 1-800-387-6030

Nov. 6: Succession Planning Workshop, Vulcan Lodge Hall, Vulcan. Contact: Cassandra Kirkpatrick 403-652-4900

Sept. 23: Discover the Soil Below Your Feet, Mark Metejka’s pasture, Ponoka County. Contact Grey Wooded Forage Association, 403-844-2645

Nov. 8-10: Flourishing Rural Economies Conference, Pomeroy Inn and Suites at Olds College, Olds. Contact: Lori-Jo Graham 403-556-4244

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

Union says lack of meat inspectors a safety threat The union representing federal food inspectors says meat-processing plants aren’t being properly monitored By Shannon VanRaes Staff

union says the current government’s refusal to acknowledge a Canada-wide shortage of federal inspectors is putting public safety at risk. Government officials have raised the alarm over cuts to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, but to no avail, said Bob Kingston, president of the union representing federal food inspectors. “The government has been presented with the information… and yet the government is denying it,” said Kingston. “They’re not turning a blind eye, they’re in denial. We think Canadians should be very concerned.” Speaking in Winnipeg, Kingston said some federally inspected plants in Manitoba are operating at almost 60 per cent below minimum staffing requirements. The province’s largest hog-processing plant, Maple Leaf Foods’ facility in Brandon, typically operates 34 per cent below the number of inspectors required to ensure food safety and animal welfare, he said. The Brandon slaughter facility kills 20 hogs every minute — something that requires strict oversight to avoid contamination, said Kingston. However, it’s not the first time the issue of food safety has been raised in relation to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Last March, staffing levels were cut in Alberta meat-processing facilities, although not those that shipped to the United States. It’s something the union described as particularly concerning given that in 2012, millions of pounds of E. coli-contaminated beef had to be recalled from the former XL Foods plant in Brooks. This spring, Reuters news agency obtained a portion of an internal CFIA report approved

by Health Minister Rona Ambrose. It outlined additional cuts to the agency, resulting in the elimination of 192 full-time positions. By 2018, there will be 273 fewer inspectors across Canada, Kingston said. The review found that the shortage in Manitoba’s four major slaughter facilities is so acute that inspectors working in the province’s meat-processing facilities are often “borrowed” to cover glaring inspection gaps in slaughter establishments, he said, describing this practice as “robbing the poor to pay the destitute.” A newly released Nanos poll found most Canadian consumers don’t want companies policing themselves on food safety issues and are opposed to cutting food inspection officers. “Canadians just do not trust the food

USED EQUIPMENT 702455

“Canadians just do not trust the food companies when it comes to safety.” Bob Kingston

$14,500

713233

$14,500

2008 New Holland SF216 Sprayer,

2008 Rem 2700 Grain Vac,

Good cond.

Good cond., 713234

companies when it comes to safety,” said Kingston. “They reject the federal government’s retreat from direct oversight of food processors and increasing reliance on industry to police their own safety practices.” Chris Aylward, national executive vicepresident of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, urged voters to make food safety an election issue.

$35,000

720027

$32,000

2011 Renn RGU1214 Grain Extractor,

2010 New Holland L180 Skid Steer,

Good cond.

4WD 720028

720029

shannon.vanraes@fbcpublishing.com

$28,000

$29,000

2010 Flaman Pro 1010

2011 Renn FBU1014

Grain Bagger

Grain Extractor 720144

$37,000

Chris Aylward (left) and Bob Kingston speak about government cuts to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Photo: Shannon VanRaes

Big numbers for charity golf tourney Eleven hundred golfers, nearly 500 sponsors, and 25 years add up to more than $1.8 million raised for charities and organizations in the Lethbridge and surrounding communities. The latest Richardson Charity Golf Classic, held earlier this month, again brought together Richardson International Limited’s suppliers and partners from across North America to raise funds for charities and organizations in southern Alberta. This year’s charity recipients include The Friends of the Coalhurst Elementary School

Society, the Lethbridge Military Unit Senate Association, Woods Homes, and the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen. Over the years, the event has supported 65 charities. “The Richardson Charity Golf Classic has been a success thanks to the outstanding support and continued generosity of our many sponsors and golfers,” Pat Van Osch, a senior vicepresident with the company, said in a press release. The company’s oilseed division is one of the largest employers in Lethbridge. — Staff

720339

$375,000

2006 New Holland 94C

2013 New Holland CR9090-Demo

Header

Combine, 114hrs

TRACTORS Agco 9650, ‘94, FWA, 155 PTO HP, 6800 hrs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Coming in Agco 9635, ‘96, FWA, 135 PTO HP, 8900 hrs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Coming In

SPRAYERS & SEEDING FC 2340 variable rate air cart . . . .$19,500 FC 5000 57’, w/3450 TBH air cart $46,000 NH P2070, ‘11, 60’ precision drill$112,000

HAYING EQUIPMENT NH 2300, ‘99, 18’ header . . . . . . . . $9,000 CIH 8580, ‘97, 4x4 Square Baler

$22,000

NH 688, ‘00, bale comm., 17, 694 bales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$12,000 NH 688, ‘00, w/auto tie . . . . . . . . .$10,000 NH BR780, ‘03, w/net, wide PU

$18,500

COMBINES/SWATHERS NH H8080, ‘08, w/25’ draper hdr & 18’ disc hdr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$121,000

OFF ROAD UTILITY Honda TRX500 Foreman, ‘07 . . . . . $4,500

MISCELLANEOUS Renn FBU 1014, Unloader . . . . . .$29,000

Claresholm, AB 403-625-3321

1-800-852-7270 www.challengernh.ca

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

USED FARM EQUIPMENT *For commercial use only. Offer subject to credit qualification and approval by CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. See your New Holland dealer for details and eligibility requirements. CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. standard terms and conditions will apply. Depending on model, a down payment may be required. Offer good through August 31, 2015, at participating New Holland dealers in Canada. Offer subject to change. Taxes, freight, set-up, delivery, additional options or attachments not included in price. © 2015 CNH Industrial Capital America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland Agriculture is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. CNH Industrial Capital and New Holland Construction are trademarks in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates.

AIR DRILL

2011 Bourgault 3310 ...................... $158,000 2009 Bourgault 3310 ...................... $148,000 2013 Bourgault 3710 ...................... $198,000 2012 Bourgault 3710-50 ................ $159,000 1998 Bourgault 5710 ........................ $59,900 2002 Bourgault 5710 ........................ $55,800 1997 Bourgault 5710 ........................ $48,000 2008 Bourgault 5710 ...................... $108,000 2002 Bourgault 5710 ............................ $CALL 2007 Case IH ATX700/3430 ............. $79,000 2001 Flexi-Coil 3450 ........................ $39,500 2000 Flexi-Coil 3450 ...................... $115,000 2003 Flexi-Coil 5000/3450 .............. $89,000 2002 Flexi-Coil 6000 / 3450 .......... $115,000 2010 Flexi-Coil P2060 ...................... $68,000 2008 NH SD550 .............................. $59,000

AIR SEEDER

2013 Bourgault 3320/L6550 .......... $289,000 2001 Bourgault 5440 ........................ $48,000 2010 Bourgault 6450 ...................... $108,000 2012 Bourgault 6450 ...................... $125,000 2010 Bourgault 6650 ...................... $115,000 2011 Bourgault L6550 .................... $105,000 2009 Bourgault L6550 .................... $105,000 2009 Bourgault L6550 .................... $105,000

AIR TANK/CART

Bourgault 3225 ................................. $13,500 2000 Bourgault LFC2000 .................... $8,200 1995 Flexi-Coil 2320 ........................ $13,500

BALER/ROUND

2004 Case IH RBX562, 12,600 Bales . $13,800 2009 NH BR7090 ................................. $CALL 2008 NH BR7090 ............................. $19,500 2005 NH BR780 ............................... $13,500 2003 NH BR780 ................................. $7,900 2006 NH BR780A ............................ $14,500 2007 NH BR780A ............................ $15,900

BLADE

3 - 2013 Leon Q5000 ....................... $33,000

COMBINE

2012 AGCO Gleaner S77 Eng Hrs: 446 Sep Hrs: 346 ......... $298,000 2012 AGCO Gleaner S77 Eng Hrs: 423 Sep Hrs: 323 ......... $298,000 1999 Case IH 2388 Eng Hrs: 2518 Sep Hrs: 1950 ....... $68,000 2000 Case IH 8010 Eng Hrs: 1728 Sep Hrs: 1322 ..... $189,000 2008 Case IH 8010 Eng Hrs: 1781 Sep Hrs: 1169 ..... $169,500 2013 Claas 760 Eng Hrs: 361 Sep Hrs: 233 ......... $389,000 2000 John Deere 9650 Sep Hrs: 2030 $98,000 2005 John Deere 9860STS Eng Hrs: 1497 .................................. $CALL 2007 John Deere 9860STS Eng Hrs: 1627 Sep Hrs: 1161 ..... $208,000 2012 NH CR8090 Sep Hrs: 480 ...... $339,000 2012 NH CR8090

Eng Hrs: 554 Sep Hrs: 434 ......... $359,000 2007 NH CR9070 Eng Hrs: 1710 Sep Hrs: 1253 ..... $229,500 2007 NH CR9070 Eng Hrs: 948 Sep Hrs: 780 ......... $198,000 2010 NH CR9070 Eng Hrs: 1654 Sep Hrs: 1240 ........... $CALL 2008 NH CR9070 Eng Hrs: 1434 Sep Hrs: 1023 ..... $249,000 2010 NH CR9070 Eng Hrs: 1655 Sep Hrs: 1239 ........... $CALL 2010 NH CR9070 Eng Hrs: 1616 Sep Hrs: 1190 ........... $CALL 2009 NH CR9070Sep Hrs: 920 ....... $239,000 2008 NH CR9070 Eng Hrs: 1489 Sep Hrs: 1020 ..... $195,000 2009 NH CR9080 Eng Hrs: 1347 Sep Hrs: 980 ....... $249,000 2010 NH CR9080 Eng Hrs: 1417 Sep Hrs: 1045 ..... $259,000 2014 NH CR9090 Eng Hrs: 491 Sep Hrs: 342 ......... $389,000 2012 NH CR9090 Eng Hrs: 546 ...... $369,000 2012 NH CR9090 Eng Hrs: 860 Sep Hrs: 630 ......... $359,000 2010 NH CR9090 Eng Hrs: 1165 Sep Hrs: 796 ....... $318,000 2012 NH CR9090 Eng Hrs: 677 Sep Hrs: 542 ......... $369,000 2012 NH CR9090 Eng Hrs: 635 Sep Hrs: 458 ......... $369,000 2014 NH CR9090 Eng Hrs: 458 Sep Hrs: 319 ......... $395,000 2006 NH CR970 .................................. $CALL 2005 NH CR970 .................................. $CALL 2006 NH CR970 Eng Hrs: 1547 Sep Hrs: 1219 $189,500 2005 NH CR970 Eng Hrs: 2459 Sep Hrs: 1821 $159,000 2006 NH CR970 Eng Hrs: 1861 Sep Hrs: 1300 ..... $169,500 2014 NH CX8080 Eng Hrs: 50 ........ $398,000 2014 NH CX8080 Eng Hrs: 60 ........ $398,000 2007 NH CX8080 Eng Hrs: 1002 Sep Hrs: 785 ....... $189,000 2009 NH CX8080 .......................... $179,000 2013 NH CX8080 Eng Hrs: 185 Sep Hrs: 137 ......... $358,000 2002 NH CX840 Eng Hrs: 3700 Sep Hrs: 2500 ........... $CALL 2004 NH CX860 Eng Hrs: 2374 Sep Hrs: 1851 ..... $138,000 2004 NH CX860 Eng Hrs: 2046 Sep Hrs: 1532 ..... $128,000 1997 NH TR98 Eng Hrs: 2740 Sep Hrs: 1934 ....... $48,000 1996 NH TR98 Eng Hrs: 2931 Sep Hrs: 2211 ....... $39,000 1999 NH TR99 Eng Hrs: 2061 Sep Hrs: 1463 ....... $69,000 1993 NH TX36 Eng Hrs: 3079 ........... $25,000 1997 NH TX66 Eng Hrs: 3754 Sep Hrs: 2781 ....... $38,500

1998 NH TX66 Eng Hrs: 3438 Sep Hrs: 2643 ....... $39,500 1998 NH TX66 Eng Hrs: 2696 Sep Hrs: 2024 ....... $49,500 1996 NH TX66 Eng Hrs: 2796 Sep Hrs: 2188 ....... $48,000 1998 NH TX66 ................................. $48,000

FIELD CULTIVATOR

2014 Valmar 3255 ........................... $12,800

GRAIN AUGER

2000 NH 2300 ................................ $10,500 2013 NH H7460 .............................. $37,500 2012 NH H7560 .................................. $CALL 2006 NH HS18 ................................ $24,500

SPRAYER

1993 Flexi-Coil S65 ............................ $7,900 2003 Flexi-Coil S67 .......................... $19,500 2008 NH SF115 ............................... $24,900

SPRAYER/HIGH CLEARANCE

2008 Case IH Patriot 3320 2001 Brandt 1390 .............................. $9,000 Eng Hrs: 3030 ............................ $148,000 2010 NuVision 5395 ........................ $21,000 2011 NH SP240F Eng Hrs: 747 Spray Hrs: 542 ........................... $268,000 GRAIN VAC 2008 REM Mfg 3700 ........................ $22,000 2011 RoGator 1396 Eng Hrs: 900 ... $288,000

HARROW HEAVY

SWATHER

2010 MF 5100-35 ............................ $58,000 2006 NH 88C-36 ............................. $58,000 2009 NH 88C-42 ............................. $68,000 2000 NH 94C-25 ................................. $CALL 2009 NH 94C-30 ................................. $CALL 2003 NH 94C-36 ............................. $39,500 2009 NH 94C-36 ............................. $44,000 2008 NH 94C-36 ............................. $49,500 1998 NH 994-25 ............................. $28,500 1999 NH 994-30 ............................. $29,500 2000 NH 994-30 ............................. $38,000 1998 NH 994-36 ............................. $19,000 1999 NH 994-36 ............................. $29,000 1998 NH 994-36 ............................. $19,000 2006 NH HB30 ................................ $26,000 1998 NH SP30 ................................. $28,500 1994 NH SP30 ................................... $9,800

TRACTOR

2006 NH 1475 1998 NH 1475 1995 NH 2216 1995 NH 2216 1999 NH 2300

TILLAGE

1999 Bourgault 7200 ............................ $CALL 1990 AGCO Hesston 1200 ................. $2,800 2007 Bourgault 7200-72 ...................... $CALL 2013 MacDon M105 Hrs: 170 ........ $138,000 2009 MacDon M150 ............................ $CALL HEADER COMBINE 2008 Honey Bee HB36 ...................... $48,000 2011 MacDon M150 ...................... $125,000 1996 Honey Bee SP25 ...................... $18,500 2011 MacDon M150 ...................... $119,000 1997 Honey Bee SP30 ...................... $29,900 2010 MacDon M150 Hrs: 950 ........ $109,500 1995 Honey Bee SP30 ...................... $29,500 2006 MF 9420 Hrs: 2060 ................. $58,000 1994 Honey Bee SP36 ...................... $19,500 2011 MF M9435 Hrs: 435 ................ $79,000 2012 John Deere 635 ....................... $68,000 1999 NH 2450 ................................ $25,000 2008 John Deere 936D ..................... $39,900 2009 NH H8040 Hrs: 520 ................ $98,000 2010 MacDon D60 ........................... $59,500 2003 Premier 2952 Hrs: 2098 ........... $48,000 2010 MacDon D60 ........................... $55,000 1998 Westward 9300 Hrs: 3268 ....... $35,800 2011 MacDon FD70-45 .................... $75,000 2005 Westward 9352 Hrs: 1450 ....... $69,000 2007 Kubota BX2350 ....................... $15,000 2008 Kubota BX2660 Eng Hrs: 200 ... $11,500 2009 McCormick TTX230 Eng Hrs: 1640 .............................. $99,000 1994 NH 8970 Eng Hrs: 9250 .......... $48,000 2009 NH T6030 Eng Hrs: 4550 ......... $85,000 2010 NH T6070 WLDR Eng Hrs: 2271 $93,000 2011 NH T7.170 Eng Hrs: 1850 ...... $119,000 2011 NH T7.235 AutoCommand Eng Hrs: 2000 ............................ $119,000 2011 NH T7.270 AutoCommand Eng Hrs: 2360 ............................ $178,000 2010 NH T7040 Eng Hrs: 2570 ....... $118,000 2001 NH TM125 .............................. $48,000 2009 NH TV6070 Eng Hrs: 4660 ...... $95,000 2011 NH TV6070 Eng Hrs: 2560 .... $118,000 2009 NH TV6070 ............................. $89,000 HEADER DRAPER 1998 MacDon 960 ........................... $25,000 2008 NH TV6070 Eng Hrs: 4555 ...... $79,500 1996 MacDon 960 ............................... $CALL 1980 Steiger P III PTA310 ...................... $CALL 1998 MacDon 960 ............................. $9,500 TRACTOR 4WD 1992 MacDon 960-30 ...................... $19,800 2012 Buhler Versatile 500 Eng Hrs: 925 .............................. $285,000 2003 MacDon 972 ........................... $39,000 2013 MacDon D65 ........................... $59,000 2009 Case IH STX535Q Eng Hrs: 3103 ............................ $278,000 HAYBINE 2014 NH T9.615 Eng Hrs: 1263 ...... $338,000 1992 John Deere 1600 ....................... $5,800 2000 MacDon 5010 ......................... $12,000 2002 NH TJ450 Eng Hrs: 9000 ....... $138,000 ................................ $21,500 ................................ $13,800 .................................. $7,500 .................................. $9,500 ................................ $10,500

2013 Bourgault 8910 - 70 .............. $115,000 2010 Salford 570 RTS ....................... $68,000 2010 Riteway 8100 .......................... $36,000 2013 Mandako MT3620RB ............... $65,000

BOX 89, PARADISE HILL, SK. S0M 2G0

1-306-344-4448 • 1-877-344-4433

www.novlanbros.com

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

1-800-665-1362 • abclassifieds@fbcpublishing.com

inDEx Tributes/Memoriam Announcements_ Airplanes Alarms_&_Security_Systems ANTIqUES Antiques_For_Sale Antique_Equipment Antique_Vehicles_ Antiques_Wanted Arenas AUCTION SAlES BC_Auction AB_Auction_Peace_ AB_Auction_North AB_Auction_Central_ AB_Auction_South SK_Auction MB_Auction_Parkland MB_Auction_Westman_ MB_Auction_Interlake MB_Auction_Red_River_ Auction_Various_ U.S._Auctions Auction_Schools AUTO & TRANSPORT Auto_Service_&_Repairs Auto_&_Truck_Parts Autos Trucks Semi_Trucks Sport_Utilities_ Vans_ Vehicles_Various_ Vehicles_Wanted BEEKEEPING Honey_Bees_ Cutter_Bees Bee_Equipment Belting_ Biodiesel_Equipment_ Books_&_Magazines_ BUIlDING & RENOVATIONS Building_Supplies_ Concrete_Repair_ Doors_&_Windows_ Electrical_&_Plumbing Insulation Lumber_ Roofing_ Buildings Business_Machines_ Business_Opportunities_ BUSINESS SERVICES Crop_Consulting Financial_&_Legal_ Insurance/Investments_ Butchers_Supply_ Chemicals Clothing/Work_wear_

Clothing/Western_Specialty_wear_ Collectibles_ Compressors_ Computers_ CONTRACTING Custom_Baling_ Custom_Feeding_ Custom_Harvesting_ Custom_Seeding_ Custom_Silage_ Custom_Spraying_ Custom_Trucking_ Custom_Tub_Grinding_ Custom_Work Construction_Equipment_ Crop_Inputs Dairy_Equipment_ Electrical_ Engines_ Entertainment_ FARM MAChINERy Aeration_ Conveyors_ Equipment_Monitors_ Fertilizer_Equip_ Grain_Augers_ Grain_Bins_ Grain_Carts_ Grain_Cleaners_ Grain_Dryers_ Grain_Elevators_ Grain_Handling_ Grain_Testers_ Grain_Vacuums_ Hydraulics_ Irrigation_Equipment_ Loaders_&_Dozers_ Parts_&_Accessories_ Potato_&_Row_Crop_Equipment_ Repairs_ Rockpickers_ Salvage_ Silage_Equipment_ Snowblowers/Plows_ Specialty_Equipment_ Machinery_Miscellaneous_ Machinery_Wanted_ hAyING & hARVESTING Baling_Equipment_ Mower_Conditioners_ Swathers_ Swather_Accessories_ Various_ COMBINES Belarus Case/IH Cl_ Caterpillar_Lexion Deutz Ford/NH_ Gleaner_ John_Deere_ Massey_Ferguson_ Versatile_ White_ Combines_Various Combine_Accessories

SPRAyING EqUIPMENT Sprayers Spray_Various_ TIllAGE & SEEDING Air_Drills_ Air_Seeders_ Harrows_&_Packers_ Seeding_Various_ Tillage_Equipment_ Tillage_&_Seeding_Various_ TRACTORS Agco_ Allis/Deutz_ Belarus_ Case/IH_ Caterpillar_ Ford_ John_Deere_ Kubota_ Massey_Ferguson_ New_Holland_ Steiger_ Universal_ Versatile_ White_ Zetor_ 2-Wheel_Drive 4-Wheel_Drive_ Various_ Fencing_ Firewood_ Fish_Farm_ Forestry/Logging_ Fork_Lifts/Pallet_Trucks_ Fur_Farming_ Generators_ GPS_ Health_Care_ Heat_&_Air_Conditioning_ Hides/Furs/Leathers_ Hobby_&_Handicrafts_ Household_Items_ Iron_&_Steel_ lANDSCAPING Greenhouses_ Lawn_&_Garden_ lIVESTOCK Cattle Cattle_Auctions__ Angus_ Black_Angus_ Red_Angus_ Aryshire_ Belgian_Blue_ Blonde_d'Aquitaine_ Brahman_ Brangus_ Braunvieh_ BueLingo_ Charolais_ Dairy_ Dexter_ Excellerator_ Galloway_ Gelbvieh_ Guernsey_ Hereford_ Highland_

Holstein_ Jersey_ Limousin_ Lowline_ Luing_ Maine-Anjou_ Miniature_ Murray_Grey_ Piedmontese_ Pinzgauer_ Red_Poll_ Salers_ Santa_Gertrudis_ Shaver_Beefblend_ Shorthorn_ Simmental South_Devon Speckle_Park Tarentaise_ Texas_Longhorn_ Wagyu_ Welsh_Black_ Cattle_Composite_ Cattle_Various_ Cattle_Wanted lIVESTOCK horses Horse_Auctions_ American_Saddlebred_ Appaloosa Arabian_ Belgian_ Canadian_ Clydesdale_ Draft_ Donkeys_ Haflinger_ Miniature_ Morgan_ Mules_ Norwegian_Ford_ Paint_ Palomino_ Percheron_ Peruvian_ Pinto_ Ponies_ Quarter_Horse_ Shetland_ Sport_Horses_ Standardbred_ Tennessee_Walker_ Thoroughbred_ Warmblood_ Welsh_ Horses_For_Sale_ Horses_Wanted_ lIVESTOCK Poultry Poultry_For_Sale_ Poultry_Wanted_ lIVESTOCK Sheep Sheep_Auction_ Arcott_ Columbia_ Dorper_ Dorset_ Katahdin_ Lincoln_ Suffolk_ Texel_Sheep_ Sheep_For_Sale_ Sheep_Wanted_

display Classified

• Minimum charge — $15.00 per week for first 25 words or less and an additional 60 cents per word for every word over 25. Additional bolding 75 cents per word. GST is extra. $2.50 billing charge is added to billed ads only. • Terms: Payment due upon receipt of invoice. • 10% discount for prepaid ads. If phoning in your ad you must pay with VISA or MasterCard to qualify for discount. • Ask about our Priority Placement • Prepayment Bonus: Prepay for 3 weeks and get a bonus of 2 weeks; bonus weeks run consecutively and cannot be used separately from original ad; additions and changes accepted only during first 3 weeks. • If you wish to have replies sent to a confidential box number, please add $5.00 per week to your total. Count eight words for your address. Example: Ad XXXX, Alberta Farmer Express , Box 9800, Winnipeg, R3C 3K7. • Your complete name & address must be submitted to our office before publication. (This information will be kept confidential & will not appear in the ad unless requested.)

• Advertising copy deviating in any way from the regular classified style will be considered display and charged at the display rate of $34.30 per column inch ($2.45 per agate line). • Minimum charge $34.30 per week. • Illustrations and logos are allowed with full border. • Advertising rates are flat with no discount for frequency of insertion or volume of space used. • Terms: Payment due upon receipt of invoice. • Price quoted does not include GST.

Published by Farm Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 WINNIPEG OFFICE Alberta Farmer Express 1666 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1 Toll-Free in Canada 1-800-665-1362 Phone 403-341-0442 in Winnipeg FAX 403-341-0615 Mailing Address: Box 9800, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3K7 • •

•

AGREEMENT The publisher reserves the right to refuse any or all advertising for any reason stated or unstated. Advertisers requesting publication of either display or classified advertisements agree that should the advertisement be omitted from the issue ordered for whatever reason, the Alberta Farmer Express shall not be held liable. It is also agreed that in the event of an error appearing in the published advertisement, the Alberta Farmer Express accepts no liability beyond the amount paid for that portion of the advertisement in which the error appears or affects. Claims for adjustment are limited to errors appearing in the first insertion only. While every endeavor will be made to forward box number replies as soon as possible, we accept no liability in respect to loss or damage alleged to a rise through either failure or delay in forwarding such replies, however caused, whether by negligence or otherwise.

(2 weeks prior)

ORGANIC Organic_Certified_ Organic_Food_ Organic_Grains_ Outfitters_ Personal_ Pest_Control Pets_&_Supplies_ Photography_ Propane_ Pumps_ Radio,_TV_&_Satellite_ REAl ESTATE Commercial_Buildings_ Condos_ Cottages_&_Lots_ Houses_&_Lots_ Land_For_Rent_ Land_For_Sale_ Mobile_Homes_ Motels_&_Hotels_ Resorts Vacation_Property_ Farms & Ranches British_Columbia_ Alberta_ Saskatchewan_ Manitoba_ Acreages/Hobby_Farms_ Farms/Ranches_Wanted_ Pastureland_ RECREATIONAl VEhIClES All_Terrain_Vehicles_ Boats_&_Water_ Campers_&_Trailers_ Golf_Carts_ Motor_Homes_ Motorcycles_ Snowmobiles Recycling Refrigeration Restaurant_Supplies Sausage_Equipment_ Sawmills_ Scales_

COMMON SEED Cereal_Seeds_ Forage_Seeds_ Grass_Seeds_ Oilseeds_ Pulse_Crops_ Common_Seed_Various_ SEED/FEED/GRAIN Feed_Grain_ Hay_&_Straw_ Feed_Wanted_ Grain_Wanted_ Hay_&_Feed_Wanted_ Seed_Wanted_ Sewing_Machines_ Sharpening_Services_ Silos_ Sporting_Goods_ Stamps_&_Coins_ Swap_ Tanks_ Tarpaulins_ Tenders_ Tickets_ Tires_ Tools_ TRAIlERS Grain_Trailers_ Livestock_Trailers_ Trailers_Miscellaneous_ Travel_ Water_Pumps_ Water_Treatment_ Welding_ Well_Drilling_ Well_&_Cistern__ Winches_ CAREERS Career_Training_ Child_Care_ Construction_ Domestic_Services_ Farm/Ranch_ Forestry/Log_ Health_Care_ Help_Wanted_ Management Mining_ Oil_Field_ Professional_ Resume_Services_ Sales/Marketing_ Trades/Tech_ Truck_Drivers_ Employment_Wanted_

MAiL TO: Alberta Farmer Express, Box 9800, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3K7 FAx TO: 403-341-0615 PhOnE in: Toll-Free in Canada 1-800-665-1362 OR (403) 341-0442 in Alberta

NAME_ ___________________________________________________________ ______PHONE_#_______________________________ ADDRESS_____________________________________________ ______TOWN_____________________________________________ PROVINCE____________________________ _____POSTAL_CODE__________________________

All classified ads are non-commissionable.

advertising deadline Wednesday noon

Livestock_Equipment_ Livestock_Services_&_Vet_Supplies_ Miscellaneous_Articles_ Miscellaneous_Articles_Wanted_ Musical_ Notices_ On-Line_Services_

CERTIFIED SEED Cereal_Seeds Forage_Seeds Oilseeds Pulse_Crops Specialty_Crops

AD ORDER FORM

adveRtising Rates & infoRmation

RegulaR Classified

lIVESTOCK Swine Swine_Auction_ Swine_For_Sale_ Swine_Wanted_ lIVESTOCK Specialty Alpacas_ Bison_(Buffalo)_ Deer_ Elk_ Goats_ Llama_ Rabbits_ Emu/Ostrich/Rhea_ Yaks_ Various_

Even if you do not want your name & address to appear in your ad, we need the information for our files.

PLEASE_PRINT_YOUR_AD_BELOW_ ______________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CAUTION The Alberta Farmer Express, while assuming no responsibility for advertisements appearing in its columns, exercises the greatest care in an endeavor to restrict advertising to wholly reliable firms or individuals. However, please do not send money to a Manitoba Co-operator box number. Buyers are advised to request shipment C.O.D. when ordering from an unknown advertiser, thus minimizing the chance of fraud and eliminating the necessity of a refund where the goods have already been sold. At Farm Business Communications we have a firm commitment to protecting your privacy and security as our customer. Farm Business Communications will only collect personal information if it is required for the proper functioning of our business. As part of our commitment to enhance customer service, we may share this personal information with other strategic business partners. For more information regarding our Customer Information Privacy Policy, write to: Information Protection Officer, Farm Business Communications, 1666 Dublin Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H1. Occasionally we make our list of subscribers available to other reputable firms whose products and services might be of interest to you. If you would prefer not to receive such offers, please contact us at the address in the preceding paragraph, or call (204)-954-1456. The editors and journalists who write, contribute and provide opinions to Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communications attempt to provide accurate and useful opinions, information and analysis. However, the editors, journalists and Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communications, cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this publication and the editors as well as Alberta Farmer Express and Farm Business Communication assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any reader for this publication based on any and all information provided.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CLASSIFICATION__________________________ ❏ I would like to take advantage of the Prepayment Bonus of 2 FREE weeks when I prepay for 3 weeks. _

No._of_words_______________________x____$0.60____x_____No._of_weeks___ ______________ __=____ ______________ _ Minimum charge $15.00 per week

❏

VISA

❏

MASTERCARD

Card_No.___/__/__/__/____/__/__/__/____/__/__/__/____/__/__/__/____

Add $2.50 if being billed / Minus 10% if prepaying ________________ Expiry_Date___/__/_____/__/

Add 5% GST ________________

Signature_________________________________________________________________________ _

TOTAL _____________

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Spraying EquipmEnt

SPRAYING EQUIPMENT Sprayers

RON SAUER

MACHINERY LTD. (403) 540-7691 ronsauer@shaw.ca

25’ 725 CIH (MacDon) PT Swather .........................$3,000 (3) CIH Late Model High HP Tractors, 1 with pto .......... CALL Wanted - 30’ to 40’ JD 9450 Hoe Drills, complete with mover .................................................................... CALL 40’ Morris 3100 Hoe Drills, mover and hitch ............$10,000 946 Versatile Ford Tractor, 5,000 hrs, 24.5 x 32 D....$50,000 275 MF Tractor & Loader, diesel, multi power, 3 pth, new 18.4 x 30 rears, looks and runs great.................... $13,000 MF Cab, fits models 255, 265, 275 tractors ......................$1,000 B275 IHC Tractor & Loader .....................................$3,500 560 Hesston Round Baler, 1,000 PTO ................... $5,500 660 NH Round Baler, 540 pto, nice shape ..................$5,500 New NH 1060 TBT Air Tank, on duals ................... $85,000 NH P1060 TBH Air Tank, as new ........................... $69,500 30’ 4590 EEZEON Double Disc, good condition .... $36,000 44’ 820 F.C. Deep Till Air Seeder, harrows ................. CALL 2320 F.C. TBH Air Tank, complete with 320 - 3rd tank ... CALL 40’ 340 F.C. Chisel Plow & 75 Packer Bar, P30’s... $33,000 62’ F.C. S75 Packer BAR P30’s, good condition .... $13,500 48’ F.C. S75 Packer Bar, P30, as new ....................... $35,000 2003 4300 IHC Service Truck, 466 diesel, 5 speed Allison auto, crane, compressor, welder, nice ................ $50,000 Degelman Dozer Frame MF 4000 Series 4WD .....$1,000 41’ Flexicoil 300 B Chisel Plow, 3 bar harrows ..... $12,500 Flexicoil 6 Run Seed Treater....................................... $750 100’ 65XL Flexicoil Sprayer, complete with windguards, elec. end nozzles single tips, auto rate, excellent condition ... $12,500 29’ 225 DOW Kello- Bilt Tandem Disc, 28” smooth front 1142 D-Series Alberta Calssifieds.indd 8 15-08-19 9:58 AM & rear blades, 10.5” spacing, oil, bath bearings, as new .... $60,000 47’ 820 Flexicoil Chisel Plow, 4 bar harrows ......... $67,500 AUCTION SALES 2009 GMC Topkick 20 ft. Grain Truck, automatic, Auctions Various silage gate, air ride suspension,approx. 7,000 kms ....$105,000 New E-Kay 7”, 8”, 9” Bin Sweeps available .......... CALL 13 x 70 Farm King Grain Auger, complete with Hobby Farm Auction September 19th & 20th 2015. spout, Brehon elec. winch & swing, full bin alarm ....... $10,500 Will be the First annual Hobby Farm Auction Held in HD 12 x 1200 (39.37’) Sakundiak Grain Auger, Portage La Prairie, MB. This Auction is For anyone to Kohler Diesel, Hawes Mover, clutch, reverser & lights, come buy or sell animals, whether you only have a excellent condition ................................................... $14,500 HD 8 x 1600 (53‘) Sakundiak Grain Auger, 24 HP couple animals in the back yard, or a couple hunOnan eng., E-Kay round about mover, clutch & spout .......$4,500 dred. (204)872-2850, (204)981-9738 HD 8 x 1600 (53’) Sakundiak Grain Auger ..........$1,250 ambergerbrandt@hotmail.com 8” Wheat Heart Transfer Auger, hydraulic drive .......$1,500 New Outback RTK BASE stn.......................................... Call New Outback MAX & STX Guidance & mapping........In Stock New Outback E-Drive, TC’s......................................In Stock BUILDINGS New Outback E-Drive X, c/w free E turns.................In Stock New Outback S-Lite guidance ...........**In Stock** $1250 New Outback VSI Steering Wheel Kits .................. In Stock Used Outback E-Drive Hyd. kits .................................. $500 STEEL STORAGE CONTAINERS, 20-ft & 40-ft. Wind, water & rodent proof. **NuVision (Spray Air) & Meridian-Sakundiak Augers, Outback GPS 1-866-517-8335, (403)540-4164, (403)226-1722 Systems, EK Auger Movers, Belt Tighteners, Bin Sweeps & Crop Dividers, magnate@telus.net Kohler, Robin Subaru & Generac Engines, Headsight Harvesting Solutions,

Available at:

Medicine Hat Co-op Ltd. Medicine Hat, AB

(403) 528-6609

www.dseriescanola.ca AUCTION SALES

JD 9400, 9420, 9520, 8970 JD 9860, 9760, 9750, 9650, 9600 JD 9430, 9530, 9630 Case STX 375, 425, 430, 450, 480, 500, 530 CIH 8010-2388, 2188 combine CIH 435Q, 535Q, 450Q, 550Q, 600Q pto avail. JD 4710, 4720, 4730, 4830, 4920, 4930 SP sprayers JD 9770 & 9870 w/CM & duals CIH 3185, 3230, 3330, 4430, 4420 sprayers

S670/680/690 JD Combine low hrs 4730 JD Sprayer, 100 ft. 854 Rogator SP Sprayer, complete with JD auto steer, swath pro Special 450 CIH Quadtrac with big pump 554 Rogator Sprayer SP 4840 JD 2WD, low hours, new tires

FARM CHEMICAL / SEED COMPLAINTS We also specialize in: agricultural complaints of any nature; Crop ins. appeals; Spray drift; Chemical failure; Residual herbicide; Custom operator issues; Equip. malfunctions. Licensed Agrologist on Staff. For assistance and compensation call

Back-Track InvesTIgaTIons

1-866-882-4779. www.backtrackcanada.com

FARM MACHINERY FARM MACHINERY Machinery Miscellaneous 1981 GMC 7000 SERIES, factory, 17-ft B&H, 10X20 70% A1, $8,000; 1980 Chev 1/2 tonne flatdeck, winch, duals, $3,500; 1978 GMC 6000 series, factory 15-ft steel B&H, original 38,000-km, $12,000; 1988 Chev 20-ft factory flat-deck, 10X20, 75%, $3,500; 410 MF combine, PU, all good, $1,050; Vac tank 1800-gal. & pump A1 $10,000; Rotex SR7 power parachute for parts, $3,000; 21-ft Hart Carter PU reel, A1, $1,100; 25-ft U2 PU reel, A1, $4,000. Ph (306)238-4411.

HAYING & HARVESTING Baling Equipment WANTED: JD 7810 c/w FEL & 3-PTH; sp or PTO bale wagon; JD or IHC end wheel drills. Small square baler. (403)394-4401

AG DEALS TO GO!

CONTRACTING Custom Trucking

If you want to sell it fast, call 1-800-665-1362.

Big Tractor Parts, Inc.

1142 D-Series Alberta Calssifieds.indd 3

STEIGER TRACTOR SPECIALIST

FINANCE, TRADES WELCOME 780-696-3527, BRETON, AB

Available at:

Dunvegan AG Solutions Inc.

RED OR GREEN 1. 10-25% savings on new replacement parts for your Steiger drive train. 2. We rebuild axles, transmissions and dropboxes with ONE YEAR WARRANTY. 3. 50% savings on used parts.

1-800-982-1769

Rycroft, AB

www.bigtractorparts.com

(780) 765-2865

HEAT & AIR CONDITIONING

www.dseriescanola.ca Alberta Farmer Express classifieds, 1-800-665-1362.

Available at:

Neerlandia Co-op Assoc. Ltd.

AG EQUIPMENT

1142 D-Series Alberta Calssifieds.indd 6

15-08-19 9:58 AM

DEALS ON THE GO!

Neerlandia, AB

(780) 674-3020 www.dseriescanola.ca

RECONDITIONED COMBINE HEADERS. RIGID & flex, most makes & sizes; also header transports. Ed Lorenz, (306)344-4811 or Website: 1142 D-Series Alberta Calssifieds.indd 9 www.straightcutheaders.com Paradise Hill, SK.

SCAN TO DOWNLOAD THE APP »»

The Icynene Insulation System®

• Sprayed foam insulation • Ideal for shops, barns or homes • Healthier, Quieter, More Energy Efficient®

www.penta.ca

1-800-587-4711

15-08-19 9:58 AM

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Prairie-Wide Display Classifieds Available at:

South Country Co-op Ltd. Lethbridge, AB

(403) 394-2476 www.dseriescanola.ca CONTRACTING

Custom Trucking 1142 D-Series Alberta Calssifieds.indd 10 15-08-19 9:58 AM

MORE OPTIONS TO SAVE YOU MONEY

Buy one province, buy two provinces or buy all three. Great rates whatever you choose

BUIT CUSTOM SERVICES LTD

Contact Sharon

Custom Manure Hauling on pasture and hay land. We run with 3 trucks with vertical beaters, equipped with GPS. And A JD 544 loader equipped with a scale. Fax: 403.885.4237 RR#1 Blackfalds, AB T0M 0J0

Shane: 403.588.11.46 Lawrence: 403.588.4787 Email: s-s-buit@hotmail.com

15-08-19 9:58 AM

Geared For The Future

JD 4440 FWA, c/w loader JD 4450 FWA, loader available JD 7130 FWA, with loader, 3 pth JD 7210 FWA with loader, 3 pth JD 7410 FWA, with loader, 3pth JD 7600 FWA, 740 loader with 3 pth JD 7800 FWA, with 3 pth JD 7810 FWA, with 740 loader Clamp on Duals, 20.8x38-18.4x38

COMBINES Accessories

Go public with an ad in the Alberta Farmer Express classifieds. Phone 1-800-665-1362.

CASE 621 LOADER 8-FT. bucket; 1981 GMC 17ft. B&H; Ford Major loader 3-PTH, $6,500; 25-ft. UII reel; 16-ft. OMC boat & 60-HP motor trailer, $2,500; 18-ft. 1,800-gal vac tank & pump; 1981 Ford gravel truck tandem gas, $7,500; MF 860 PU & straight cut $5,500; 1999 GMC T8500 DSL tow truck 20-ft. $14,500. (306)236-8023

www.dseriescanola.ca

TRACTORS Various

Combines

2004 ROGATER 1264, 1200-GAL., 80-ft outback auto steer, Raven auto rate, Raven GPS w/mapping, rear duals, 2 sets of tips, $78,000. 1990 Kongskilde 700 Grain Vac, $3,500. Call: (403)665-2341, Craigmyle, AB.

ACREAGE EQUIPMENT: 3-PT. CULTIVATORS, Discs, Plows, Blades, Harrows, Etc. (780)892-3092, Wabamun, AB.

(403) 742-4036

TRACTORS Various

TracTors

WANTED: NH BALE WAGONS & retrievers, any condition. Farm Equipment Finding Service, P.O. Box 1363, Polson, MT 59860. (406)883-2118

HAYING & HARVESTING

Stettler, AB

“LIKE MANY BEFORE, WE’LL HAVE YOU SAYING THERE’S NO DEAL LIKE A KEN DEAL” • Phone: (403)330-7847 • Cell: (403)504-4929 • Email: kendeal@shaw.ca

FARM MACHINERY Machinery Wanted

BUSINESS SERVICES Crop Consulting

Central Alberta Co-op

GOOD SELECTION OF JD & CASE SP SPRAYERS AND 4WD TRACTORS

Greentronics Sprayer Auto Boom Height, Kello-Bilt Discs**

BUSINESS SERVICES

Available at:

Email: sharon.komoski@fbcpublishing.com

ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA • AUGUST 31, 2015

ORGANIC

SEED/ FEED/GRAIN Grain Wanted

TENDERS

ORGANIC Organic – Certified

RURAL & CULTURAL TOURS

WANT THE ORGANIC ADVANTAGE? Contact an organic Agrologist at Pro-Cert for information on organic farming: prospects, transition, barriers, benefits, certification & marketing. Call:(306)382-1299, Saskatoon, SK or at info@pro-cert.org

Italian Villa ~ Oct 2015 Spain & Portugal ~ Nov 2015 European River Cruise ~ Multiple dates Australia/New Zealand ~ Jan 2016 Costa Rica/Panama Canal ~ Jan 2016 Tanzania/Zimbabwe ~ Jan 2016 South America ~ Feb 2016 India ~ 2016

CANOLA WANTED Buying Tough, Heated, Green, Canola, Freight Options, Prompt Payment Bonded and Insured

SEED / FEED / GRAIN SEED/FEED/GRAIN Feed Grain 1,600 WINTER WHEAT GRAIN feed bales 3x4x8, bales are 1,345-lbs, $200 short Ton in the stack. (403)362-6712 FEED GRAIN WANTED! ALSO buying; Light, tough, or offgrade grains. “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252

*Portion of tours may be Tax Deductible

Available at:

CALL 1-866-388-6284 www.milliganbiofuels.com TENDERS

Round up the cash! Advertise your unwanted equipment in the Alberta Farmer Express classifieds.

SEED/FEED/GRAIN Grain Wanted

BUYING SPRING THRASHED CANOLA & GRAIN “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252

McEwens Fuels & Fertilizers

www.selectholidays.com

Fort Saskatchewan, AB

CAREERS

(780) 998-2058

CAREERS Help Wanted

1142 D-Series Alberta Calssifieds.indd 7

(403) 934-2204

1-877-641-2798

• Competitive Prices • Prompt Movement • Spring Thrashed

“ON FARM PICK UP”

1-877-250-5252

www.dseriescanola.ca

FARMING

15-08-19 9:58 AM

IS ENOUGH OF A GAMBLE...

LAKELAND COLLEGE IN VERMILION, AB is seeking tenders for 1,000 mixed grass round hay bales. Tenders may be mailed to: Lakeland College Farm Office 5707 College Drive, Vermilion, AB T9X 1K5. For tender details phone (780)853-8595. Submission deadline is September 8th.

www.dseriescanola.ca 1-800-665-1362

Available at:

Stretch your ADVERTISING DOLLAR!

1142 D-Series Alberta Calssifieds.indd 5

HEATED CANOLA & FLAX

(403) 360-9191

MUST HAVE FARM EXPERIENCE, mechanically inclined, be able to do any structural repairs to buildings, must be able to run combine, swather, tractor, balers, haybines, farm equipment. Mixed farm. Wages are negotiable depending on experience, potential to make $50,000 plus per year, for 15-08-19 9:58 AM 1142 D-Series Alberta Calssifieds.indd 2 the right individual. (204)738-2716.

Available at:

Strathmore, AB

We know that farming is enough of a gamble so if you want to sell it fast place your ad in the Alberta Farmer Express classifieds. It’s a Sure Thing. Call our toll-free number today. We have friendly staff ready to help. 1-800-665-1362.

Lethbridge, AB

We know that farming is enough of a gamble so if you want to sell it fast place your ad in the Alberta Farmer Express classifieds. It’s a Sure Thing. We have friendly staff ready to help. 1-800-665-1362.

Crowfoot AG Solutions Inc.

Wheat, Barley, Oats, Peas, etc. Green or Heated Canola/Flax

Agro Plus Sales and Service Ltd.

1-800-661-4326

BOW VALLEY TRADING LTD.

WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN

Available at:

Select Holidays

www.dseriescanola.ca

BUYING HEATED/DAMAGED PEAS, FLAX & GRAIN “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252

BUYING:

CAREERS Management

TRAVEL

15-08-19 9:58 AM

Buy and Sell

TRAILERS

CropMaxx Inc.

TRAILERS Trailers Miscellaneous

anything you need through the

1-800-665-1362

Westlock, AB

FOR SALE: 2006 PETERBILT 379 hiway tractor; 70-in bunk, moose bumper, very good rubber, 13-spd, 40 rears, 475 ISX, 1.2million kms. Excellent condition. $52,000 OBO. 1997 Lodeking tridem 3 hopper grain trailer with almost new Michaels aluminum augers, VGC. $30,000 OBO. Call:(780)926-0983 or (780)841-2984.

Advertise in the Alberta Farmer Express Classifieds, it’s a Sure Thing!

(780) 349-2201 www.dseriescanola.ca

1142 D-Series Alberta Calssifieds.indd 4

1-800-665-1362

15-08-19 9:58 AM

14250 – 100 Street, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 7C7 Phone: (780)532-5344 • (888)532-5344 • Fax: (780)532-2457 11508 – 8th Street, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4H3 Phone: (250)782-7511 • (800)663-3572 • Fax: (250)782-7511 TRACTORS NH L230 2011 3000lb Lift Capacity, Full Load, High Flow Hyds, Hyd Q/A, 400 eng hrs, Stk#E016122 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $49,500 Kubota RTV-900 2010 SidexSide 1180 eng hrs, Stk#E015145 . . . . . . $10,500 Woods CZR2652 2012 52” Zero Turn Mower Stk#E014133 . . . . . . . . $4,100 Kubota B7510 4wd, 60” Sweeper, 60” Mower, 60” Blade & 48” Tiller 500 eng hrs, Stk#E011076 . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13,000 NH TV140-TV6070 Loader, Grapple, 105 PTO HP . . . . . Starting At $32,900 Steiger CM280 1984 Good Shape. 7110 eng hrs, Stk#E015984 . . . . $26,000 Cat 75 Stk#E016131 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $38,700 NH T9060 Triples 1300 eng hrs, Stk#E014421 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $225,000 NH T9.670HD 2011 800 Duals, 600hp, GPS, Lux Cab, Mega Flow Hyds 325 eng hrs, Stk#E013694 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $307,000

SPRAYERS

FC Used Pull Type Sprayers, Various Models . . . . . . . . . Starting At $21,900 Apache AS1210 2009 100ft, 1200 gal, AutoBoom, 5 Section Boom, Envizio Pro 850 eng hrs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $159,900 Wilmar 8100 1997 Coming In Stk#E016135 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35,000

FEEDING

Haybuster 2650 Grain Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Starting At $13,900

TILLAGE & SEEDING

Summers 60ft Heavy Harrows Stk#E014008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22,900 JD 220 18ft Disc Stk#E014891 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,250 FC 3450 340bu, Variable Rate & Mechanical Rate Units Available, Tow-Behind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Starting At $29,900 FC 820/1720/Pack 33’x9”, Single Shoot, TBH, Air Seeder, Packer Bar Stk#E015372 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22,000 FC 5000/1720 33’x9”, Single Shoot, TBH, 4” Rubber Packers Stk#E015789 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30,000 FC 5000 45’x9”, Double Shoot, TBH, 4” Rubber or Steel, Two To Choose From . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Starting At $40,000

FC 5000/3450 2002 57’x7.2”, TBT, Mech Cart, Single Shoot . . . . . . $55,000 NH P2060/P1060 2009 70’x12”, TBH, Variable Rate, Double Shoot, AgTron Blockage Monitor On Seed Runs, 4” Paired Row Atom Jet Openers, 5.5” Rubber Packers, Clean Unit. Stk#E013197 . . . $125,900

COMBINES & HEADERS

CIH 2388 2003 With Pickup Header, Hopper Cover, 1,650 T Hours 2210 eng hrs, Stk#E014945 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $72,000 NH 94C 25’ Draper to fit 2388 Stk#E014946 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25,000 Lexion 570 2011 RWA, Clean Unit, 850 eng hrs, Stk#E014936 . . . . $159,900 NH CX8070 2008 1000 T Hours 1300 eng hrs, Stk#E014437 . . . . . $169,900 NH CX8080 2009-12 9 Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Starting At $175,000 NH CX8090 2013 Cast Drum, Tier IV, GPS, Duals, 200 T Hours 270 eng hrs, Stk#E013496 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $325,000 NH CR9090 2012 c/w Pickup Header, RWA, GPS, Luxury Cab, Stk#E016124 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $310,000 NH Selection Of NH Straight Cut & Draper Headers Various Sizes Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Starting At $22,000 JD 9860 2004 Hopper Cover, Clean & Ready To Work, 1,815 T Hours 2420 eng hrs, Stk#E015728 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $124,900

GRAIN CARTS

Demco 850-1150 2014 850 to 1150 Bu, Black or Blue, PTO & Hyd. Drive, 900 Tires, Tarp & Scales . . . . . . . . . Starting At $49,900

SWATHERS

Hesston 8400 1994 21ft Draper Stk#E014240 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13,500 MacDon 4952 2000 30’ 972, New Drive Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $47,900 MacDon 9352i 2005 30ft 972, Double Knife, Triple Del. Stk#E012026 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $59,900 MacDon M105 2013 25ft D65, Single Knife, Triple Del. 125 eng hrs, Stk#E014431 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $129,900 MacDon M150-M155 30’ & 35’ D60/D65, Double Knife, Trans, Triple Del, Swath Rollers Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Starting At $101,900

DISCBINES/HAYBINES/RAKES NH 488 1996 9’3” Side Pull Haybine Stk#E015827 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,900 NH 1411 2003 10ft Sidepull Stk#E014170 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11,900 CIH 8360 12ft Hydroswing Two To Pick From . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,500 NH 1475 2006 16ft Hydroswing Stk#E014022. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17,500 NH 1431 13’ Discbines, 2 to choose from: . . . . . . . . . . . Starting At $20,000

BALERS NH BR780/BR780A Auto Wrap, 2.07m P/U . . . . . . . . . . Starting At $13,900 NH BR780A 2006 TW/NW, 2.07m P/U Stk#E007409. . . . . . . . . . . . . $18,900

CONSIGNMENTS JD 9600 2830 Threshing Hours 4165 eng hrs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35,000 JD 925 25’ Auger Header . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000 JD 2520 Tractor, Loader, Backhoe, Disc, Mower, Rear Blade, Wood Chipper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $28,000 JD 930 10’ Side Pull Disc Mower Conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,500 JF FCT1350 JF Forage Harvester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $16,900 NH 492 New Holland Haybine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000 KV 3PT-4BT Kvernland 4 Bottom Plow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,000 AG 3PT-2BT Dearborn 2 Bottom Plow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $600 JD 530 John Deere Round Baler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,400 NH BR780 New Holland Round Baler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,000 FK Y720 Farm King 72” Rotary Cutter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,700 RN 350 Renn Stockmaster Feed Wagon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,000 Wheat-Belt Never used 20’ Electric Bale Elevator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,900 NH CX860 2004, 76C P/U, 1602T Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $95,000 JD 640D 2012 40’ Combine Draper c/w Upper Cross Auger & HLA 4 Wheel Steer Header Cart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $71,000 Kub ZG227 54” Zero-Turn Mower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,500 DR Pro Lawn Vac & Chipper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,600 *For commercial use only. Offer subject to credit qualification and approval by CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. See your New Holland dealer for details and eligibility requirements. CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. standard terms and conditions will apply. Depending on model, a down payment may be required. Offer good through August 31, 2015, at participating New Holland dealers in Canada. Offer subject to change. Taxes, freight, set-up, delivery, additional options or attachments not included in price. © 2015 CNH Industrial Capital America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland Agriculture is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. CNH Industrial Capital and New Holland Construction are trademarks in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates.

AUGUST 31, 2015 • ALBERTAFARMEXPRESS.CA

No matter what the crop — canola, alfalfa, grass, small grains, lentils, or peas — New Holland H8000 Series Speedrower® windrowers deliver capacity that can’t be matched by any other machine. Not only do you have the power to drive the widest variety of headers, you also get outstanding visibility, comfort, and header control – giving you a SMART choice in the ultimate crop-cutting PLUS machine.

BONANZA BUCKS

PHENOMENAL PHENOMENAL CAPACITY AND IN-FIELD CONTROL.

CAPACITY AND IN-FIELD CONTROL. No matter what the crop – canola, alfalfa, grass, small grains, lentils, or peas – New Holland H8000 Series Speadrower® windrowers deliver capacity that can’t be matched by any other machine. Not only do you have the power to drive the widest variety of headers, you also get outstanding visibility, comfort, and header control – giving you a SMART choice in the ultimate crop-cutting machine.

• 126 hp to an industry-leading 226 hp • Smooth Discbine® headers up to 18’ wide — the widest available • Reliable draper headers from 21’ to 36’ • Proven Haybine® sickle headers — 12’, 14’, 16’ and 18’ • Comfort Ride™ cab suspension for a smooth ride • Optional chassis suspension for ultimate productivity in the field

SWATHER SALE!

• 126 hp to an industry-leading 226 hp

• Smooth Discbine® headers up to 18’ wide – the widest available • Reliable draper headers from 21’ to 36’ • Proven Haybine® sickle headers – 12’, 14’, 16’ and 18’ 1999

2012 MACDON M155

MACDON 2920 • Comfort Ride™ cab suspension for a #W22404C. 2657HRS, 30’ smooth ride 962 HEADER, CENTRE DELIVERY, PU REEL, • Optional chassis suspension for ultimate GUAGE WHEELS, 21.5 productivity in the ﬁeld LUG FRONT, 9.5 FORKED

36,500

REAR, KINISTINO.

#W22651A. 236 HRS, 30’DRAPER, D50 SINGLE #HW3387A. 551 HRS, AIR REEL FORE/AFT, 16.5L-16.1 SPRING SUSPENSION, FULL TAIL WHEELS, *For 600-65R28 commercial use only. Customer participation subject to credit qualification and approval by CNH Capital America LLC CAB W/AC,requirements. CAB DELUXE DRIVE WHEELS, HYDCanada Ltd. See your participating New Holland dealer for details and or CNH Capital eligibility Down payCENTERLINK, SLOW UPGRADE, 36’forHEADER, ment may be required. Offer good through November 30, 2013. Not all customers or applicants may qualify this rate or term. SPEED DOUBLE KNIFE, SINGLE CNH Capital America LLC or CNH Capital CanadaTRANSPORT, Ltd. Standard terms and conditions will apply. This transaction will be unconditionally interest free. Canada Example - 0.00% ALBERT per annum for a total contract term PRINCE of 36 months: Based on a retail contract date of October 15, 2013, with a suggested retail price on a new T7.170 tractor of C$131,116.70 SWATH PU REEL, TRANScustomer provides down payment of C$26,212.70 and finances the balance of C$104,904.00 at 0.00% per annum for 36 months. There will be 35 equal monthly installment PORT GAUGE WHEEL payments of C$2,914.00 each, the first due on November 15, 2013 and one final installment of C$2,914.00 due on October 15, 2016. The total PACKAGE. amount payableHUMBOLDT will be C$131,116.70,

150,000

158,000

125,000

which includes finance charges of C$0.00. Taxes, freight, setup, delivery, additional options or attachments not included in suggested retail price. Offer subject to change or cancellations without notice. © 2013 CNH America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland and CNH Capital are registered trademarks of CNH America LLC.

2013 MACDON M155

2012 NEW HOLLAND H8060

#W22645A. 442HRS, 40’ TRIPLE DELIVERY DRAPER, 16.5L-16.1 TAIL WHEELS,60065R28 DRIVE WHEELS, HYD CENTER LINK, ROTO SHEARS HYDRAULIC ROLLER. PRINCE ALBERT

2012 NEW HOLLAND H8060

125,000

#HW3388A. 509 HRS, AIR SPRING SUSPENSION, FULL CAB W/AC, EZEE PILOT GUIDANCE, 36’ HEADER, DOUBLE KNIFE, SINGLE UII REEL. HUMBOLDT

2011 MASSEY FERGUSON 9435

92,000

© 2014 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates.

2011 MACDON M150

136,000

#W22643A. 572 HRS, 2010 D60 HEADER - ONLY 407 HRS, HYD SHIFT DECK, ALWAYS SHEDDED. KINISTINO

54,000

2007 MASSEY FERGUSON 9430

72,000

#W22408A . 1108 HRS, 30’ CENTRE DELIVER DRAPER HEADER, UII P/U REEL, HYD TILT AND GAUGE WHEELS, 18.4R26 DRIVE TIRES, 12.5L-15 FORMED CASTORS. KINISTINO.

2006 MASSEY FERGUSON 9220

2005 NEW HOLLAND HW325

#W22410D. 1359 HRS, 30’ DBL SWATH DRAPER, 30’ PU REEL UII, FIXED GAUGE WHEELS, SINGLE KNIFE DRIVE. KINISTINO

#HN3123B. 1637 HRS, DELUXE CAB UPGRADE, CAB AND REAR AXLE SUSPENSION, HB36 HEADER, GAUGE WHEELS, SINGLE KNIFE DRIVE, UII PICKUP REEL. HUMBOLDT

72,500

Hwy. #3, Kinistino 306-864-3667 Hwy. #5, Humboldt 306-682-9920 Hwy. #2 S., Prince Albert 306-922-2525 PRECISION FARMING AND DRONE EXPERTS ON STAFF

2006 MASSEY FERGUSON 9420

52,500

#PN3020C . 828 HRS, 30’ CENTRE DELIVER DRAPER HEADER, FRONT 18.4R26 FIRESTONE, 30’ PU REEL UII, ELECTRIC FORE/AFT, SWIVEL GAUGE WHEELS, HYD TILT, SINGLE KNIFE, FORKED REAR TIRES,MOUNTED WINCH SWATH ROLLER, 4 CYLINDER CUMMINS DIESEL 110 HP. PRINCE ALBERT.

NEW! 2014 & 2015 NEW HOLLAND SPEEDROWER 36’ FULLY LOADED & READY TO GO!

CALL FOR DETAILS!

VISIT

2015 MACDON M155

FARMWORLD.CA FOR DAILY CASH SPECIALS ON EQUIPMENT, PARTS & MORE!

#W22406A. 270 HRS, 36’ CENTRE DELIVERY DRAPER HEADER, WINCH ROLLER FREE FORM, 480/85R28 FRONT TIRES, REAR FORKED 14L-16.1 SL GOODYEAR, SINGLE KNIFE 36’, 4 REAR WEIGHTS 55KG EACH, GAUGE WHEELS 20X10.00-10NHS, 5 FORWARD LIGHTS 3 REAR LIGHTS, 5200 HEADER. PRINCE ALBERT.

Bi-annual payment

WITH D65 35’ HEADER

12,310

(OAC, some restrictions apply)

+ GST